OF  A 


.V  DWIGE'7  C;CW^P,D 


UTSCARD 


The  Good  News 


WORKS    BY 

DWIGHT  GODDARD 


TESUS  And  the  Problems  of 

•J  Human  Life 

1 2  mo,  cloth,  net,  50  cents 
These  discourses  show  the  value  and  use- 
fulness of  the  Good  News  of  a  Spiritual 
Realm  and  the  Way  of  Salvation  to  anyone 
who  has  felt  a  desire  to  make  that  supreme 
adventure  in  faith.  They  set  the  "Good 
News"  into  its  right  relation  with  present- 
day  thought. 


THE  GOOD  NEWS 

Of  a  Spiritual  Realm 
Paraphrased  by  DWIGHT  GODDARD 
Second  Edition,  12 mo,  cloth,  net,  $r.oo 
An  interweaving  and   paraphrasing  of  the 
Four  Gospels,  bringing  out  clearly  the  unity 
and  reasonableness  of  Jesus'  Life  and  Teach- 
ings.     Appropriate    for    devotional    reading, 
study  classes,  and  as  a  gift  book  to  those  we 
would  like  to  become  interested  in  our  Lord. 


.  .c,r<; 

ThejGood  News      * 

Of  a  Spiritual  Realm  / 


Paraphrased  by 
DWIGHT  GODDARD 


NEW  YORK        CHICAGO        TORONTO 

Fleming     H.     Revell     Company 

LONDON       AND       EDINBURGH 


Copyrighted,  1915,  by 
DWIGHT  GODDARD,  Ann  Arbor,  Michigan 

Revised  Edition  copyrighted,  1916,  by 
DWIGHT  GODDARD,  Ann  Arbor,  Michigan 


New  York:  158  Fifth  Avenue 
Chicago:  17  North  Wabash  Ave. 
Toronto:  25  Richmond  Street,  W. 
London:  21  Paternoster  Square 
Edinburgh:  100  Princes  Street 


The  Problem  of  Human  Life  calls  for  an 
Explanation  of  the  Conflict  That  Is  Going  on 
Within  the  Human  Heart  Between  the  Forces 
That  Are  Working  for  the  Preservation  and 
Assertion  of  the  Natural  Life  and  the  Forces 
Working  for  the  Creadon  of  a  Spiritual  Life. 

JESUS  OF  NAZARETH  PROCLAIMED  THE  GOOD 

NEWS  OF  A  SPIRITUAL  REALM 
He  Asserted  the  Independent  Reality  of  the 
Spiritual  Realm ;  He  Asserted  the  Supremacy 
of  the  Spiritual  Law  of  Love ;  He  Asserted 
the  Existence  of  a  Way  to  Transcend  the 
Natural  and  Advance  into  the  Spiritual. 

This  Book  is  Dedicated 
To  the  Solution  of  this  Problem  of 
Human  Life  in  Accordance  with  the 
Good    News   Proclaimed    by   Jesus. 


Preface 

THIS  book  is  an  interweaving  of  the 
Four    Gospels    into    one    connected 
account  of  the  Life  and  the  Teach- 
ings of  Jesus  of  Nazareth,  in  which  the  effort  is 
made  by  free  translation  and  paraphrase  to 
bring  out  the  unity  and  the  reasonableness  of 
his  life  and  teachings  from  a  modern  point  of 
view. 

It  has  been  very  unfortunate  that  Jesus'  life 
and  teachings  have  been  so  largely  studied  as  a 
part  of  the  whole  history  of  the  Christian 
Church  and  Christian  dogma.  This  has  in- 
evitably resulted  in  straining  and  distorting 
them  out  of  their  original  and  characteristic 
simplicity.  This  screening  and  obscuring  of 
his  original  thought  began  at  the  very  begin- 
ning. Jesus  was  again  and  again  distressed 
because  his  own  disciples,  who  were  com- 
paratively uneducated  men,  failed  to  under- 
stand and  to  appreciate  the  significance  of  his 
teachings. 

Then  the  history  of  his  life  and  teachings 
was  not  written  down  for  many  tens  of  years 
after  his  death,  which  gave  plenty  of  time  for 
7 


8  Preface 

these  misunderstandings  to  become  exagger- 
ated ;  and  our  record  in  the  Four  Gospels  is 
only  what  certain  of  his  disciples  remembered 
of  what  they  understood  him  to  say.  To 
make  the  matter  worse,  by  the  time  the 
record  was  being  made,  the  development  of 
the  Christian  Church  was  Well  under  way 
and  the  disciples  were  doing  their  best  to 
defend  and  to  support  it.  They  might  uncon- 
sciously but  quite  naturally  be  drawn  to  color 
the  record  to  suit  the  defense  of  the  growing 
Church. 

In  particular,  there  were  three  especially 
important  influences  working  against  the  sur- 
vival of  pure  Christianity:  namely,  first,  the 
almost  universal  Jewish  belief  in  the  coming  of 
a  Messiah  who  would  restore  their  nation  to  its 
old  place  of  religious  prestige.  Rather  than 
give  up  this  mistaken  idea  of  the  Messianic 
Kingdom  they  crucified  the  Lord,  and  even  the 
disciples  cherished  to  the  last  a  belief  in  the 
second  coming  of  Jesus  to  fulfill  this  hope. 
Would  it  not  be  quite  natural  for  the  disciples 
to  unconsciously  interpret  what  Jesus  did  say 
to  strengthen  this  belief  ?  Second,  when  the 
disciples  left  Judea  and  came  into  contact  with 
Grecian  culture  and  philosophy  they  would 
naturally  be  drawn  into  trying  to  make  Chris- 
tian doctrine  square  with  them.  The  writings 
of  Paul  show  how  strong  this  temptation  was. 


Preface  9 

Third,  with  the  growth  of  the  Christian  Church 
as  an  institution  and  under  the  influence  of 
Koman  organization  and  authority,  there  would 
be  a  constant  temptation  for  the  writers  of  the 
Four  Gospels  to  recall  words  and  instances  that 
could  be  used  to  support  their  growing  ecclesi- 
astical authority. 

Moreover,  we  must  remember  that  Jesus  was 
an  Oriental  and  would  therefore  probably  think 
as  an  Oriental.  We  must  expect  his  teachings 
to  have  been  illustrative  and  suggestive  rather 
than  didactic  and  precise.  We  must  expect 
that  his  actual  words  contained  a  deeper  sig- 
nificance than  his  immediate  disciples,  or  his 
age,  for  that  matter,  could  have  sounded  or 
recorded.  If  Jesus  had,  as  the  world  generally 
believes  that  he  did  have,  an  extraordinary 
intuition  for  spiritual  truth,  then  we  have  a 
right,  not  so  much  to  translate  an  approved 
text  with  exactness  as  we  have  to  discern  his 
thought  and  to  interpret  it  in  the  light  of  sub- 
sequent wisdom,  provided  we  do  it  with  a 
humble  purpose  to  reflect  his  deeper  thought 
and  message. 

The  writer  has  been  guided  by  certain  in- 
terpretive principles.  First,  he  has  tried  to 
discern  in  the  teachings  of  Jesus  a  central 
idea  around  which  all  the  rest  could  be  har- 
monized, and  found  it  in  Jesus'  conception  of 
the  Kingdom  of  God.  Second,  he  has  tried  to 


io  Preface 

be  true  to  a  spiritual  intuition  of  Jesus'  mean- 
ing. He  has  constantly  asked  himself  the 
question,  "  Does  this  sound  like  Jesus  ?  "  and 
has  given  that  question  equal  attention  with 
textual  authority.  Third,  he  has  tried  as  far  as 
possible  to  make  every  rendering  suggestive  of 
its  deeper  spiritual  significance. 

As  a  result  of  being  guided  by  these  prin- 
ciples, the  character  and  thought  of  Jesus 
stand  out  in  clear  relief.  "We  see  him  as  a 
man  of  one  idea.  He  is  constantly  talking 
about  this  Kingdom  of  God,  what  it  is,  what  is 
God's  relation  to  it,  and  what  is  man's  relation 
to  it,  and  what  is  man's  relation  to  his  fellow 
men  in  the  light  of  it.  In  parable,  explanation, 
exhortation,  and  in  miracle,  he  is  ever  trying 
to  make  clear  his  conception  of  it,  and  to  bring 
men  to  conform  their  lives  to  it. 

To  him  the  Kingdom  of  God  is  no  merely 
ideal  state  of  human  society,  but  is  an  inde- 
pendent realm  of  spiritual  reality,  an  over- 
world  of  Love.  He  sees  it  to  be  very  near,  yet 
to  be  so  different  from  the  natural  realm  of 
material  things  as  to  be  far,  far  removed  from 
worldly  eyes.  Words  fail  him  to  adequately 
describe  its  glories,  and  his  greatest  sorrow 
seems  to  be  that  men  are  blind  and  indifferent 
to  its  blessed  nearness  and  reality. 

In  this  Realm  of  the  Spirit  Jesus  sees  God 
ruling  as  Sovereign  Love  whose  attitude  towards 


Preface  1 1 

the  children  of  men  is  that  of  the  highest 
paternal  love  and  authority,  and  so  he  teaches 
men  to  think  of  God  as  the  Father  of  Love. 
He  perceives  that  this  paternal  love  of  God  for 
humanity  is  expressing  itself  in  three  ways :  in 
a  revelation  of  the  source  of  moral  authority, 
in  a  revelation  of  the  Divine  Love  Idea  in- 
carnated in  Jesus,  and  in  an  issue  of  the  Divine 
Love  Vitality,  the  Holy  Spirit,  by  reason  of 
which  the  human  is  enabled  to  transcend  the 
limitations  of  the  natural  and  to  advance  into 
the  higher  life  of  the  spiritual. 

Jesus  believed  that  he,  himself,  was  the  in- 
carnation of  this  Divine  Love  Idea,  that  he 
was  the  expression  in  human  terms  of  this  Love 
Thought  of  the  Father,  that  he  was,  in  a  special 
sense,  the  Son  of  God.  He  perceived  that  in 
every  human  soul  there  is  a  spiritual  germ  that 
can  be  quickened  into  life,  not  by  the  will  of 
men,  but  only  by  the  will  of  the  Father  Love, 
and  in  his  Way.  This  Way  of  Life,  as  Jesus 
revealed  it  to  men,  was  to  cherish  the  Love 
Thought,  to  trust  the  Divine  Love  Vitality,  and 
to  obey  the  spiritual  influence  that  came  from 
the  Father  of  Love  to  the  children  of  men. 
This  was  the  Good  News  of  a  Spiritual  Kealm 
that  Jesus  felt  to  be  his  mission  to  proclaim  and 
to  exemplify,  and  to  this  mission  he  devoted  his 
short  life  so  tilled  with  activity  and  kindness 
and  wisdom. 


12  Preface 

He  asserted  the  independent  reality  of  a 
Spiritual  Kealm ;  he  asserted  the  supremacy  of 
its  Law  of  Love;  he  asserted  the  loving  and 
paternal  authority  of  God ;  he  asserted  the  ex- 
istence of  a  Way  into  a  higher  Life  of  the 
Spirit ;  and  then  he  called  on  men  everywhere 
to  repent  and  to  believe  and  to  make  Love  the 
controlling  motive  in  a  life  of  service,  in  a  quest 
for  the  Spiritual  Realm.  But  the  glory  of  Jesus' 
life  is  not  in  the  assertion  of  these  principles, 
but  is  in  the  fidelity  of  his  own  life  to  them, 
even  to  the  death  of  the  cross  that  he  might 
bear  the  sin  of  the  world. 

This  system  of  thought  is  certainly  philo- 
sophical in  its  unity  and  universality,  and  it  is 
scientific  in  its  openness  to  test  and  proof. 
Jesus  himself  deprecated  argument  and  chal- 
lenged men  to  put  his  words  to  the  test, 
promising  that  thereby  they  would  know. 
Christendom  has  always  been  divided  on  ques- 
tions of  definition  and  dogma  ;  it  ought  not  to 
have  been  so,  because  Christianity  does  not  so 
much  call  for  defense  by  logic  and  argument  as  it 
does  for  demonstration,  and  wherever  it  is  tried 
it  wins  its  way. 

As  we  ponder  the  great  problem  of  human 
life,  its  meaning  and  destiny,  the  Way  of  Life 
which  Jesus  proclaimed  more  and  more  com- 
mends itself  to  us  as  the  only  way  of  escape 
from  the  grim  determinism  of  nature.  "  Lord, 


Preface  13 

to  whom  else  can  we  go  ?    Thou  alone  hast  the 
words  of  eternal  life." 

Jesus'  teachings  and  the  example  of  his  life 
are  preeminently  an  appeal,  an  appeal  to  action 
and  to  adventure.  To  freshen  this  appeal  by 
clothing  it  in  new  phraseology,  and  by  so  doing 
to  make  it  more  insistent  and  forceful,  is  the 
purpose  of  this  work.  Only  a  few  verbal 
changes  are  made  in  this  second  edition ;  the 
most  important  change  being  in  the  substitution 
of  the  phrase,  The  Father  of  Love,  as  a  para- 
phrase for  the  name  of  Deity,  in  order  to  make 
more  emphatic  Jesus'  belief  in  the  personality 
of  God  and  in  his  infinitely  loving  nature. 

DWIGHT   GODDAKD. 

Ann  Arbor,  Michigan. 


Table  of  Contents 

PAGE 

PROLOGUE 17 

CHAPTER  ONE.    Birth  and  Childhood  of 

Jesus 19 

CHAPTER  Two.    Opening  Events       .        .      33 

CHAPTER   THREE.     Earliest  Teaching  in 

Jerusalem 46 

CHAPTER  FOUR.  Early  Teaching  in  Galilee      64 

CHAPTER  FIVE.    Choosing  the  Twelve  and 

Stay  in  Galilee 70 

CHAPTER  Six.    Premonitions  of  the  Crisis    120 

CHAPTER  SEVEN.    Farewell  to  Galilee  and 

Public  Proclamation  of  Messiahship    .     144 

CHAPTER  EIGHT.  Triumphal  Entrance  Into 

Jerusalem  and  Last  Supper  .        .        .     199 

CHAPTER  NINE.    Trial  and  Execution       .    246 

CHAPTER  TEN.    Ascension  and  Beginnings 

of  a  Cooperative  Brotherhood       .        .     267 

REFERENCE  INDEX     .       .       .  287 


Prologue 


f  •  ^HE  Love  Thought  was  the  beginning. 
In  the  very  beginning  it  was  with  the 

JL  Father  of  Love  and  it  was  the  Father 
of  Love.  All  things  were  made  by  the  Love 
Thought  and  without  it  was  not  anything  made 
that  ever  was  made. 

In  it  was  Life  and  the  Life  was  the  Light  of 
men.  The  Light  shone  in  darkness  and  the 
darkness  has  never  been  able  to  overcome  it,  or 
even  to  comprehend  it.  The  Love  Thought  was 
the  true  Light  that  should  illumine  every  soul 
by  its  coming  into  the  world.  The  Love  Thought 
was  in  the  world  and  all  that  exists  was  made 
by  it  and  yet  the  world  did  not  recognize  it. 

In  the  fullness  of  time  this  Love  Thought 
was  expressed  in  a  human  Life  that  lived 
among  us,  and  we  beheld  his  glory, — the  glory 
that  belonged  to  him  as  the  only  begotten  of 
the  Father,  full  of  grace  and  truth  ;  and  of  his 
fullness  we  are  ever  receiving  grace  upon  grace. 

He  came  to  a  place  that  was  his  own,  but  his 
own  people  gave  him  no  welcome,  but  to  as 
many  as  did  receive  him,  who  really  trusted  in 

John  i.  1-18. 

«7 


i8  Prologue 

his  name  of  Love,  to  them  was  given  power  to 
enter  the  Spiritual  Realm,  because  they  had 
become  children  of  Love.  They  were  reborn, 
not  by  natural  vitality,  nor  by  an  impulse  of 
their  own  volition,  nor  by  the  will  of  a  human 
father,  but  by  the  desire  of  the  Father  of  Love. 
The  Law  was  given  by  Moses,  but  the  re- 
deeming power  of  Love  and  an  entrance  into 
the  Spiritual  Realm  came  through  Jesus  the 
long  promised  Messiah.  No  human  eye  has 
ever  seen  the  Father  of  Love,  but  the  nature  of 
the  Father  and  his  "Way  of  Life  have  been  re- 
vealed by  the  Son,  who  was  his  own  Love 
Thought  from  the  beginning. 


CHAPTER  ONE 
BIRTH  AND  CHILDHOOD 

IN  the  days  of  Herod,  King  of  Judea,  there 
was  a  priest  named  Zechariah,  who  be- 
longed   to    the    Abijah  division  of    the 
priesthood.    His  wife,  Elizabeth,  was  also  a 
descendant  from  Aaron.     They  were  both  up- 
right in   character  and  had  lived  blamelessly 
in  all  the  precepts  and  ordinances  of  the  Lord. 
They  were  now  well  advanced  in  years  but,  to 
their  great  sorrow,  had  had  no  children. 

In  the  temple  service,  at  the  hour  for  burning 
incense,  while  all  the  multitude  of  the  people 
remained  outside  in  prayer,  it  was  the  custom 
for  one  priest,  who  was  chosen  by  lot,  to  enter 
the  Holy  of  Holies  and  offer  the  incense.  On 
one  occasion  the  lot  fell  to  Zechariah.  He  had 
entered  and  was  burning  the  incense  when  an 
angel  of  the  Lord  appeared  to  be  standing  on 
the  right  side  of  the  altar.  Zechariah  was 
troubled  and  afraid  when  he  saw  him,  but  the 
angel  reassured  him  and  said,  "  Zechariah,  your 
earnest  prayers  have  been  heard.  Your  wife 
Elizabeth  will  bear  a  son  and  you  are  to  call 

Luke  i.  5-80. 

'9 


2o  The  Good  News 

his  name  John.  You  will  have  joy  and  glad- 
ness and  many  will  rejoice  at  his  birth.  He 
will  be  great  in  the  sight  of  the  Lord ;  he  will 
abstain  from  all  fermented  drink  and,  from  his 
birth,  will  be  filled  with  Divine  Vitality. 

"  He  will  turn  many  of  the  children  of  Israel 
to  the  Father  of  Love,  their  Lord.  He  will  be 
the  forerunner  of  the  Messiah  and  have  the 
spirit  and  power  of  Elijah  to  turn  the  hearts  of 
the  fathers  to  the  children,  and  to  turn  the 
disobedient  to  the  wisdom  of  the  good,  and 
thus  to  make  ready  a  people  prepared  to  wel- 
come the  Lord." 

Zechariah  said  to  the  angel,  "  I  am  an  old 
man  and  my  wife  is  aged  also  ;  how  shall  I  be 
sure  of  this  ?  " 

The  angel  replied,  "  I  stand  in  the  presence 
of  the  Father  of  Love  and  am  sent  to  tell  you 
the  Good  News.  It  will  come  to  pass  in  due 
time,  but  because  you  are  slow  to  believe  you 
will  be  unable  to  speak  until  that  time." 

Meanwhile  the  people  were  waiting  for 
Zechariah  to  reappear  and  were  surprised  that 
he  stayed  so  long.  When  he  finally  came  out 
and  they  saw  that  he  was  unable  to  speak,  but 
made  signs  to  them,  they  perceived  that,  while 
he  had  been  within,  he  had  seen  a  vision. 

When  his  days  of  temple  service  were  ended, 
he  went  to  his  home,  and,  in  the  course  of  time, 
his  wife  Elizabeth  conceived.  For  five  months 


/«- 


Birth  and  Childhood  21 

she  kept  in  retirement,  saying,  "  The  Lord  has 
looked  kindly  upon  me  and  taken  away  my 
reproach." 

AT  this  time  there  was  living  in  Nazareth  of 
Galilee  a  loving  and  devout  girl  named  Mary. 
She  was  betrothed  to  a  man  named  Joseph,  and 
they  were  both  lineal  descendants  of  Abraham 
and  the  royal  house  of  David. 

In  the  sixth  month  an  angel  from  God  ap- 
peared to  Mary  and  said :  "  Congratulations, 
most  favored  one,  the  Lord  is  with  you."  She 
was  greatly  agitated  at  such  a  strange  greeting 
and  wondered  what  it  meant. 

The  angel  continued,  "  Do  not  be  afraid, 
Mary,  you  have  found  favor  with  the  Father  of 
Love.  You  are  to  bear  a  son  and  call  his  name 
Jesus.  He  will  be  of  great  renown  ;  men  will 
call  him,  *  Son  of  the  Most  High ' ;  and  the 
Father  of  Love,  the  Lord,  will  give  him  the 
throne  of  his  father  David.  He  will  reign 
over  the  house  of  Jacob  for  ever  and  of  his 
Kingdom  there  will  be  no  limit." 

Mary  said,  "  How  can  it  be  possible,  seeing 
that  I  am  not  yet  married  ?  "  The  angel  an- 
swered, "  Divine  Vitality  will  come  to  you,  and 
the  power  of  the  Most  High  will  enfold  you. 
For  this  reason  he  that  shall  be  born  will  be 
revered  and  will  be  called  the  Son  of  God ;  and 
no  purpose  of  his  will  ever  fail." 


22  The  Good  News 

Mary  replied,  "  I  give  myself  wholly  to  the 
Lord.  Let  it  be  to  me  as  you  have  said." 

The  angel  said,  "  Listen,  Mary,  your  relative 
Elizabeth  has  conceived  a  son  in  her  old  age, 
and  she,  who  was  called  barren,  is  now  in  her 
sixth  month."  Then  the  angel  disappeared 
from  her  presence. 

Mary  went  at  once  to  the  home  of  Zechariah 
in  the  hill  country  of  Judea  to  see  Elizabeth. 
As  soon  as  Elizabeth  heard  her  greeting,  the 
babe  moved  within  her.  She  was  filled  with 
Divine  Vitality  and  cried  out :  "  Oh,  most 
blessed  among  women,  and  your  child  shall  be 
blessed  !  Why  is  this  honor,  that  the  mother 
of  my  Lord  should  come  to  me?  For  when 
the  sound  of  your  greeting  came  to  my  ears, 
even  the  babe  within  me  moved  from  very  joy. 
Oh,  blessed  one !  Because  you  have  faith,  there 
will  be  fulfillment  of  all  the  promises  made  to 
you  from  the  Lord." 

Mary  replied : 

"  MY  soul  doth  magnify  the  Lord. 

And  my  spirit  doth  rejoice  in  God  my  Saviour. 

For  he  hath  looJced  on  the  low  estate  of  his  hand- 
maid ; 

And  from  henceforth  all  generations  shall  call  me 
blessed. 

For  he  that  is  mighty  has  done  to  me  great  things 

And  reverend  is  his  name. 

His  mercy  is  unto  them  that  fear  him 


Birth  and  Childhood  23 

From  generation  to  generation. 

He  hath  showed  strength  with  his  arm  ; 

He  hath  scattered  the  proud  in  the  thoughts  of 

their  hearts  ; 

He  hath  put  down  princes  from  their  thrones  / 
He  hath  exalted  them  of  low  degree. 
The  hungry  he  hath  filed  with  good  things. 
And  the  rich  he  hath  sent  empty  away. 
He  hath  given  help  to  his  servant  Israel 
In  remembrance  of  his  mercy  y 
As  he  promised  unto  our  fathers. 
To  Abraham  and  to  his  seed  for  ever." 

Mary  remained  with  Elizabeth  about  three 
months  and  then  returned  to  her  own  home. 
In  due  time  Elizabeth  brought  forth  a  son  and 
her  kinsfolk  and  neighbors  rejoiced  with  her 
when  they  saw  how  the  Lord  had  magnified 
his  mercy  towards  her. 

ON  the  eighth  day,  according  to  custom,  they 
came  to  circumcise  the  child  and  would  have 
christened  him  Zechariah,  after  his  father's 
name,  but  his  mother  objected  and  said  that  he 
was  to  be  called  John.  They  reminded  her 
that  none  of  the  family  bore  that  name  and, 
using  signs,  asked  the  father  what  the  child 
was  to  be  called.  He  asked  for  a  writing  tab- 
let and  wrote,  "  His  name  is  John." 

Then  he  was  conscious  that  he  could  speak 
and  immediately,  being  filled  with  Divine  Vi- 
tality, he  burst  forth  in  a  rapture  of  praise : 


24  The  Good  News 

"  BLESSED  be  the  Lord  God  of  Israel; 
For  he  hath  not  forgotten  his  people, 
But  hath  prepared  redemption 
And  hath  raised  up  a  mighty  salvation  for  them 
In  the  house  of  his  servant  David, 
As  he  promised  by  the  prophets  of  old. 
He  hath  saved  us  from  our  enemies 
And  from  the  hand  of  all  that  hate  us. 
He  hath  shown  kindness  to  our  fathers 
And  hath  remembered  his  sacred  covenant. 
Which  he  made  with  our  father  Abraham, 
That  he  would  keep  us  safe 
From  the  hand  of  our  enemies. 
80  that  we  might  serve  him  without  fear, 
In  piety  and  uprightness  all  our  days. 

And  thou,  Oh  child,  shalt  be  called 
Prophet  of  the  Most  High  I 
Thou  shalt  go  before  to  prepare  the  way  of  the 

Lord, 
Who   will   give   knowledge   of  salvation  to  his 

people, 

Through  the  forgiveness  of  their  sins, 
By  the  tender  mercy  of  our  God. 
It  will  be  to  us  as  the  daybreak  from  on  high, 
And   to    those  who  dwell  in  darkness  and  the 

shadow  of  death, 
To  guide  our  feet  into  the  path  of  peace." 


The  neighbors  were  filled  with  awe,  for  the 
hand  of  the  Lord  was  evidently  with  him. 
The  events  were  remembered  and  talked  about 


Birth  and  Childhood  25 

throughout  all  the  hill  country  and  many  won- 
dered what  the  child  would  become.  Mean- 
while the  child  grew  strong  in  body  and  char- 
acter, but  remained  in  seclusion  until  the  time 
for  him  to  appear  publicly  in  Israel. 

BEFORE  Joseph  married  Mary,  his  be- 
trothed, it  was  brought  to  his  attention  that 
she  had  conceived.  Being  a  good  man,  and  not 
willing  to  bring  her  into  public  disgrace,  he 
thought  to  separate  from  her  quietly.  While 
he  was  still  thinking  about  it,  an  angel  of  the 
Lord  appeared  to  him  in  a  dream  and  said : 
"  Joseph,  son  of  David,  do  not  hesitate  to 
marry  Mary,  your  betrothed,  for  that  which  is 
conceived  in  her  is  of  the  Divine  Vitality.  She 
will  bring  forth  a  son  and  he  is  to  be  called 
Jesus,  for  it  is  he  that  shall  save  his  people 
from  their  sins." 

All  this  took  place  in  fulfillment  of  what  the 
Lord  had  foretold  by  the  prophet.  "  Behold  a 
young  worrum  will  be  with  child  and  will  bring 
forth  a  son  <md  they  will  call  his  name,  *  God- 
with-us.' " 

Joseph  did  as  the  angel  of  the  Lord  had  com- 
manded and  married  his  betrothed,  but  did  not 
live  with  her  as  a  husband  until  the  birth  of  her 
son. 


Matthew  i.  18-25. 


26  The  Good  News 

AT  that  time  Caesar  Augustus  issued  a  proc- 
lamation calling  for  a  registration  of  the  whole 
empire.  This  was  the  first  enrollment  and  was 
made  while  Quirinius  was  governor  of  Syria. 

In  response  to  this  edict  each  one  returned  to 
his  native  town  to  be  registered.  Joseph  went 
from  Nazareth  in  Galilee  to  Bethlehem  in 
Judea,  because  he  was  a  descendant  from 
David  ;  and  Mary,  his  wife,  went  with  him. 

When  they  reached  Bethlehem,  there  was  no 
room  for  them  at  the  inn  and  they  sought  shel- 
ter in  a  stable.  While  they  were  there  the 
time  for  Mary's  delivery  came  and  she  gave 
birth  to  her  first  born  son.  She  wrapped  him 
in  his  baby  clothes  and  laid  him  to  sleep  in  a 
manger. 

In  the  same  country  there  were  shepherds  in 
the  open  fields,  keeping  watch  over  their  flocks 
by  night.  An  angel  of  the  Lord  appeared  to 
them  and  the  glory  of  the  Lord  shone  round 
about  them  and  they  were  much  afraid.  But 
the  angel  said  to  them :  "  Do  not  be  afraid.  I 
am  bringing  you  good  tidings  of  great  joy  that 
shall  be  to  all  people,  for  there  is  born  to  you 
this  day  in  the  city  of  David  a  Saviour,  who  is 
the  Messiah,  the  Lord.  This  shall  be  your 
proof :  you  will  find  the  babe  wrapped  in  his 
baby  clothes  and  lying  in  a  manger." 

Luke  ii.  1-39. 


Birth  and  Childhood  27 

Suddenly  there  was  with  the  angel  a  multi- 
tude of  the  spiritual  hosts  praising  God  and 
saying : 

"  Glory  to  God  in  the  Highest !  And  on 
earth  peace  and  good  will  among  men." 

When  the  angelic  host  had  faded  away  from 
their  sight,  the  shepherds  said  to  one  another, 
"  Let  us  go  at  once  to  Bethlehem  and  see  that 
which  the  Lord  has  revealed  to  us."  So  they 
went  in  haste  and  found  both  Mary  and  Joseph 
and  the  little  child  lying  in  the  manger.  The 
shepherds  told  of  the  vision  that  they  had  seen, 
and  all  who  heard  it  were  filled  with  wonder. 
Mary,  especially,  listened  to  it  and  treasured  it 
in  her  heart.  Then  the  shepherds  returned  to 
their  flocks  glorifying  and  praising  God  for  all 
the  things  they  had  heard  and  seen. 

WHEN  eight  days  were  passed  the  child  was 
circumcised  and  given  the  name  Jesus,  as  had 
been  foretold  by  the  angel.  Then  in  accord- 
ance with  the  requirements  of  the  Mosaic  law, 
which  stipulated  that  every  first  born  male 
should  be  dedicated  to  the  Lord,  and  after  the 
days  for  their  own  purification  had  elapsed, 
they  carried  the  child  up  to  Jerusalem  to  pre- 
sent him  at  the  temple  and  to  offer  the  custom- 
ary sacrifice  of  a  pair  of  turtle  doves,  or  two 
small  pigeons. 

There  was  in  Jerusalem  at  this  time  a  man 


28  The  Good  News 

named  Symeon,  who  was  a  good  and  devout 
man,  whose  heart  was  filled  with  Divine  Vital- 
ity and  who  was  expectantly  watching  for  the 
coming  of  the  Messiah.  It  had  been  revealed 
to  him  that  he  should  not  die  until  he  had  seen 
the  Lord's  Messiah.  Under  the  influence  of 
Divine  Vitality  he  had  come  into  the  temple 
just  as  the  parents  of  Jesus  brought  him  in. 
He  took  the  child  in  his  arms  and  blessed  God 
saying: 

"Now,  Lord,  Let  thy  servant  depart,  according  to 
thy  word,  in  peace, 

For  mine  eyes  have  seen  thy  salvation, 
Which  thou  hast  prepared  in  the  sight  of  all  nations, 

A  light  of  revelation  to  the  Gentiles 

And  a  glory  to  thy  people  Israel." 

Symeon  then  blessed  them  and  said  to  Mary : 
"  Listen  to  me.  This  child  will  be  the  cause  of 
many  falling  and  many  rising  in  Israel.  He 
will  arouse  great  resentment,  for  he  will  reveal 
the  secret  thoughts  of  many  a  heart.  Yes, 
even  your  own  heart  will  suffer  as  though  a 
sword  had  pierced  it." 

While  the  father  and  mother  were  wonder- 
ing at  these  strange  words,  an  aged  woman 
named  Anna  came  near.  She  was  the  daugh- 
ter of  Phanuel  of  the  tribe  of  Asher.  She  was 
very  old,  having  lived  with  a  husband  for  seven 


Birth  and  Childhood  29 

years  after  her  girlhood  and  now  had  been  a 
widow  for  eighty-four  years.  She  was  looked 
upon  as  a  prophetess  and  spent  all  her  time  in 
the  temple  worshipping  day  and  night  with 
fasting  and  prayer.  When  she  saw  the  child 
Jesus,  she  gave  thanks  to  God,  and  then  spoke 
about  him  to  those  who  were  also  looking  for 
the  redemption  of  Jerusalem. 

When  the  parents  had  fulfilled  all  the  temple 
requirements  they  returned  to  Bethlehem. 

JUST  at  this  time  some  wise  men  arrived  in 
Jerusalem  from  the  far  East.  They  created 
some  excitement  by  inquiring,  "Where  is  he 
that  is  born  King  of  the  Jews  ?  We  saw  his 
star  when  it  arose  and  we  have  come  to  wor- 
ship him." 

When  Herod,  the  king,  heard  it,  he  was  dis- 
turbed, for  it  might  mean  an  insurrection. 
The  king  gathered  together  all  the  chief  priests 
and  scholars,  and  anxiously  inquired  of  them 
where  the  Messiah  was  to  be  born.  They  re- 
plied that  according  to  the  prophets  he  was  to 
be  born  in  Bethlehem  of  Judea.  Then  Herod 
called  the  wise  men  to  him  privately,  to  learn 
the  exact  time  that  the  star  appeared.  He 
commanded  them  to  go  to  Bethlehem  and 
search  out  the  young  child  and  when  they  had 


Matthew  ii.  1-23. 


30  The  Good  News 

found  the  child  to  bring  him  word.  The  reason 
the  king  gave  was,  "  That  I  may  also  come  and 
worship  him." 

Having  heard  the  king  they  went  away  and 
the  star,  which  they  had  seen  from  the  East, 
went  before  them  until  it  stood  over  where  the 
young  child  was.  When  they  saw  the  star 
they  rejoiced  exceedingly.  They  entered  the 
house  and  when  they  saw  the  young  child  and 
Mary  his  mother,  they  prostrated  themselves 
and  worshipped  him.  Then  they  opened 
their  treasures  and  offered  him  gifts  of  gold, 
frankincense  and  myrrh.  Being  warned  in  a 
dream  that  they  should  not  return  to  Herod, 
they  left  for  their  own  country  by  another  road. 

After  they  had  gone,  an  angel  of  the  Lord 
appeared  to  Joseph  in  a  dream  and  warned  him 
that  Herod  would  seek  the  young  child's  life 
and  that  he  must  take  him  and  the  mother  and 
flee  into  Egypt,  and  remain  there  until  he  was 
sent  word.  That  same  night  Joseph  took  the 
child  and  his  mother  and  started  for  Egypt  and 
was  there  until  the  death  of  Herod. 

"When  Herod  learned  that  the  wise  men  had 
trifled  with  him,  he  was  furiously  angry.  He 
reckoned  from  the  time  that  he  had  learned  of 
the  wise  men  that  the  star  had  appeared,  and 
gave  orders  that  all  children  under  two  years 
of  age,  that  could  be  found  in  Bethlehem  and 
vicinity,  should  be  killed. 


Birth  and  Childhood  31 

After  Herod  was  dead,  an  angel  of  the  Lord 
appeared  to  Joseph  in  a  dream,  telling  him  of 
the  death  and  directing  him  to  bring  the  child 
and  his  mother  back.  When  Joseph  heard  that 
Archelaus,  the  son  of  Herod,  was  reigning  over 
Judea,  and  being  warned  in  a  dream,  he  was 
afraid  to  return  there  and,  instead,  went  to 
Galilee  and  dwelt  in  the  town  of  Nazareth. 
And  there  the  child  grew  strong  and  wise  and 
the  blessing  of  God  was  evidently  upon  him. 

IT  was  the  custom  of  his  parents  to  go  up  to 
Jerusalem  every  year  to  the  Feast  of  the  Pass- 
over and  when  Jesus  was  twelve  years  of  age 
they  took  him  with  them.  When  the  festivi- 
ties were  ended  and  they  were  returning,  Jesus 
stayed  behind  in  Jerusalem  without  his  parents 
being  aware  of  it.  They  supposed  that  he  was 
somewhere  in  the  company  and  they  made  a 
day's  journey  before  they  began  to  search  for 
him  among  their  relatives  and  acquaintances, 
but  being  unable  to  find  him  they  returned  to 
Jerusalem. 

On  the  third  day  they  found  him  in  the 
temple,  sitting  in  the  midst  of  the  teachers, 
listening  and  asking  them  questions.  All  who 
heard  him  were  amazed  at  his  understanding 
and  his  answers. 


Luke  ii.  40-62. 


32  The  Good  News 

When  the  father  and  mother  saw  him,  they 
were  astonished,  and  his  mother  said  to  him, 
"  My  boy,  why  have  you  done  this  ?  Your 
father  and  I  have  been  anxiously  searching  for 
you."  Jesus  said  to  her,  "  But  why  did  you 
search  for  me,  mother  ?  Didn't  you  know  that 
I  would  be  here  in  my  Father's  house  ?  " 

He  returned  with  them  to  Nazareth  and  was 
an  obedient  child.  They  did  not  always  under- 
stand the  things  he  said  to  them,  but  his  mother 
treasured  them  in  her  heart,  and,  as  he  increased 
in  stature  and  wisdom,  he  also  increased  in  the 
favor  of  his  fellow  men  and  of  God. 


CHAPTER  TWO 
OPENING  EVENTS 

MEANWHILE  John,  the  son  of  Zech- 
ariah  and  Elizabeth,  was  growing 
up  in  the  seclusion  of  the  wilderness. 
He  dressed  in  camel's  hair  with  a  leathern 
girdle  and  lived  on  locust  pods  and  wild  honey. 
In  the  fifteenth  year  of  Tiberius  Caesar,  when 
Pontius  Pilate  was  governor  of  Judea,  Herod 
of  Galilee,  and  his  brother  Philip  of  Ituraea 
and  Trachonitis,  and  Annas  and  Caiaphas  were 
high  priests,  the  call  of  God  came  to  him. 

He  went  into  the  Jordan  Valley  and  began 
to  preach  and  to  baptize.  The  burden  of  his 
message  was,  "  Repent,  for  the  Kingdom  of 
Heaven  is  at  hand ! "  Those  that  heeded  his 
words  he  baptized  as  a  sign  of  the  remission  of 
their  sin. 

All  of  this  had  been  foretold  by  the  prophet 
Isaiah,  who  said : 

"  THE  voice  of  one  crying  in  the  uoilderness, 
Make  ready  the  way  of  the  Lord, 
Make  his  paths  straight. 
Every  valley  shall  be  filled, 


Matthew  iii.  1-12 ;  Mark  i.  1-8;  Luke  iii.  1-301 
33 


34  The  Good  News 

And  every  mountain  and  hill  brought  low. 

The  crooked  shall  be  made  straight, 

And  the  rough  ways  smooth, 

And  all  nations  shall  see  the  salvation  of  God. " 

But  when  he  saw  many  of  the  Pharisees  and 
Sadducees  coming  to  his  baptism,  he  said  to 
them:  "Oh,  offspring  of  vipers,  who  ha& 
warned  you  to  flee  from  the  wrath  to  come  ? 
You  must  first  bring  forth  the  fruits  of  re- 
pentance. It  will  be  no  profit  to  you  to  claim 
Abraham  as  your  father,  for  let  me  tell  you, 
God  is  able  of  these  very  stones  to  raise  up 
children  to  Abraham.  Already  the  axe  is  at 
the  foot  of  the  tree  and  every  tree  that  fails  to 
yield  good  fruit  will  quickly  be  cut  down  and 
thrown  into  the  fire." 

They  asked  him,  "  "What  must  we  do  ?  " 

He  replied,  "  He  that  has  two  coats,  let  him 
share  with  him  who  has  none.  He  that  has 
food,  let  him  do  the  same."  There  were  tax 
collectors  that  came  to  be  baptized  and  they 
asked  him  what  they  should  do.  He  said  to 
them,  "  Collect  no  more  than  is  legally  due." 
Some  soldiers  asked  the  same  question.  To 
them  he  replied,  "  Do  not  take  things  by  vio- 
lence, accuse  no  one  unjustly  and  be  content 
with  your  wages." 

The  crowds  increased.  The  people  were  ex- 
pectant, and  reasoned  in  their  hearts  as  to 


Opening  Events  35 

whether  possibly  John,  himself,  was  the  prom- 
ised Messiah. 

John  answered  saying  to  them  all,  "I,  in- 
deed, baptize  you  with  water  as  a  sign  of  re- 
pentance, but  after  me  one  is  coming  who  is 
mightier  than  I,  one  whose  shoes  1  am  not 
worthy  to  unloose.  He  will  baptize  you  with 
Divine  Vitality  and  with  fire.  His  winnowing 
fan  will  be  in  his  hand  ready  to  clean  up  the 
threshing  floor.  He  will  gather  the  wheat  into 
his  granary,  but  the  chaff  he  will  burn  with 
unquenchable  fire." 

THEN  the  Jews  at  Jerusalem  sent  priests 
and  Levites  to  ask  him  who  he  was,  and 
whether  he  was  the  Messiah  or  not.  John 
said,  "  No,  I  am  not  the  Messiah."  Then  they 
asked,  "Who  then,  are  you  Elijah?  or  the 
prophet  that  is  to  come?"  But  John  an- 
swered, "  No,  I  am  not." 

Then  they  said,  "  Tell  us  who  you  are  and 
by  what  authority  you  baptize,  so  that  we  may 
give  an  answer  to  them  that  sent  us."  John 
said  to  them,  the  same  as  he  had  said  to  the 
others,  "  I  am  the  voice  of  one  crying  in  the 
wilderness.  I  baptize  with  water,  but  there 
is  another  coming  after  me,  who  is  greater 
than  I." 

John  i.  1&-28. 


36  The  Good  News 

WHILE  John  was  baptizing  in  Jordan,  Jesus 
came  from  Nazareth  to  be  baptized,  but  John 
protested  and  said,  "  It  is  I  who  have  need  to 
be  baptized  of  thee,  and  thou  comest  to  me !  " 
But  Jesus  said,  "  You  must  do  it  for  me,  for  it 
is  only  thus  that  I  fulfill  my  duty." 

Then  John  baptized  him  and,  as  Jesus  came 
up  out  of  the  water,  lo,  the  heavens  opened  and 
he  saw  the  Vitality  of  God,  in  the  form  of  a 
dove,  descending  and  alighting  upon  him  and 
a  voice  from  the  Spiritual  Realm  saying,  "  Thou 
art  my  beloved  Son,  in  whom  I  am  well 
pleased." 

ON  the  morrow,  John  seeing  Jesus  coming 
towards  him,  said  to  those  standing  about  him : 
"  Behold  the  Lamb  of  God  that  is  to  take  away 
the  sin  of  the  world.  This  is  he  of  whom  I 
said, '  After  me  is  coming  One  who  is  preferred 
before  me,  for  he  is  greater  than  I.'  For  this 
purpose  I  came  baptizing  with  water  to  pro- 
claim to  Israel  the  coming  Messiah.  At  first  I 
did  not  recognize  him,  but  when  I  beheld  Di- 
vine Vitality  descending  as  a  dove  out  of  the 
Spiritual  Realm  and  abiding  on  him,  just  as  it 
had  been  foretold  to  me  by  the  one  who  sent 
me  to  baptize  with  water,  and  who  said,  '  The 
One  on  whom  thou  shalt  see  the  Spirit  descend- 


Matthew  iii.  13-17;  Mark  i.  9-11 ;  Luke  ui.  21-23. 
John  i.  29-34. 


Opening  Events  37 

ing  and  abiding,  he  is  the  One  who  will  baptize 
with  Divine  Vitality.'  This  I  have  seen  and 
now  bear  witness,  that  he  is  the  Son  of  God." 

THE  same  day,  it  was  then  about  four  in  the 
afternoon  as  John  was  standing  with  two  of 
his  disciples,  they  saw  Jesus  as  he  was  walk- 
ing by,  and  John  said,  "  Look,  there  is  the 
Lamb  of  God."  The  two  disciples  who  heard 
John  speak  followed  Jesus. 

Jesus  noticed  them  following  and  asked 
them,  "  What  is  it  you  want  ?  "  They  replied, 
"  Where  are  you  staying,  Teacher  ?  "  He  said, 
"Come  and  see."  And  so  they  went  with 
him  and  remained  the  rest  of  the  day. 

One  of  the  two  who  heard  John  speak  and 
followed  Jesus  was  Andrew.  He  went  at 
once  to  his  own  brother,  Simon,  and  said, 
"We  have  found  the  Messiah,"  and  brought 
his  brother  to  Jesus.  Jesus  looked  at  him  and 
said,  "  You  are  Simon,  the  son  of  John,  but 
your  name  is  to  be  Peter,  that  is,  the  Rock." 

The  next  day  Jesus  left  for  his  home  in  Gali- 
lee and  meeting  Philip,  who  was  from  Beth- 
saida,  the  same  town  as  Andrew  and  Peter, 
invited  him  to  go  with  them.  Philip,  meeting 
his  friend  Nathaniel,  said,  "We  have  found 
the  one  of  whom  Moses  wrote  in  the  Book  of 

John  i.  35-61. 


38  The  Good  News 

the  Law  and  the  Prophets,  Jesus  of  Nazareth, 
the  son  of  Joseph."  Nathaniel  replied,  "  Naz- 
areth ?  Can  any  good  thing  come  out  of  Naz- 
areth ?  "  "  Come  and  see,"  said  Philip. 

Jesus  saw  him  coming  and  said,  "  Here  at 
last  is  a  true  Israelite,  one  in  whom  is  no  de- 
ceitfulness."  Nathaniel  said,  "Why,  where 
have  you  known  me  ?  "  Jesus  said,  "  Just  be- 
fore Philip  called  you,  when  you  were  under 
the  fig  tree,  I  saw  you."  Nathaniel  exclaimed, 
"Teacher,  thou  art  the  Son  of  God.  Thou 
art  the  King  of  Israel." 

Perhaps  Nathaniel  had  been  praying  under 
the  fig  tree  that  the  Messiah  might  soon  come, 
for  Jesus  said,  "  Because  I  said  I  saw  you 
under  the  fig  tree,  do  you  believe  ?  You  shall 
see  greater  things  than  these,  Nathaniel.  You 
will  see  the  heavens  open,  and  the  angels  of  the 
Father  of  Love  encircling  the  Son  of  Man." 

THE  third  day  there  was  a  marriage  in 
Cana  of  Galilee,  to  which  Jesus  and  his  mother 
and  disciples  were  invited.  It  happened  that 
the  wine  that  had  been  provided  was  insuffi- 
cient and  the  mother  of  Jesus  brought  it  to  his 
attention.  "  "We  are  not  responsible,  are  we, 
mother  ?  Besides,  I  am  not  ready  to  act." 
His  mother  whispered  to  the  servants,  "Do 
whatever  he  tells  you." 

John  ii.  1-12. 


Opening  Events  39 

There  were  six  stone  jars  standing  near  by, 
as  was  common  in  Jewish  homes,  and  each 
large  enough  to  hold  twenty  gallons  or  more. 
Jesus  told  the  attendants  to  till  the  jars  with 
water  and  they  filled  them  to  the  brim.  Then 
he  said,  "  "When  the  host  calls  for  more  wine, 
take  from  these  jars."  This  they  did,  and 
when  the  host  had  tasted  of  the  water  which 
had  now  been  changed  into  wine,  although 
only  the  servants  knew  about  it,  he  called  for 
the  bridegroom  and  said :  "  Usually  at  a  feast 
the  best  wine  is  served  first,  and  the  poorer 
after  men  have  drunken  freely,  but  you  have 
kept  the  best  until  now." 

This  miracle  in  Cana  was  the  beginning  of 
the  wonderful  things  that  Jesus  did  in  Galilee. 
It  revealed  his  power  and  deepened  the  confi- 
dence that  his  friends  had  in  him. 

THE  changing  of  the  water  into  wine  came 
at  a  time  when  Jesus  was  thinking  seriously  of 
his  mission  in  life.  It  was  done  in  a  spirit 
of  kindness,  but  it  revealed  to  him,  perhaps, 
the  kind  of  temptation  to  which  he  would  be 
particularly  open — the  temptation  to  use  his 
power  unwisely. 

He  was  familiar  with  all  the  ancient  prophe- 
cies of  the  coming  of  a  Messiah  and  the  stories 
of  his  own  birth.  He  felt  an  inner  response  so 
intimate  that  he  was  convinced  that  he,  him- 


4-O  The  Good  News 

self,  was  the  Son  of  God  and  he  always  called 
God,  "  My  Father."  The  voice  at  his  baptism 
only  confirmed  that  of  which  he  was  already  sure. 

He  understood  instinctively,  as  only  a  Son 
could,  the  mind  and  heart  of  God.  He  knew 
that  God  was  Love  Absolute  and  Sovereign 
of  an  Infinite  Kingdom.  He  knew  that  this 
Kingdom  was  independent  of  and  above  the 
natural  order  and  that  it  constituted  in  itself 
the  truest  and  highest  reality.  He  knew  that 
the  Law  of  Love  was  supreme,  not  only  in  the 
Spiritual  Kealm,  but  in  the  world  of  nature  as 
well. 

He  recognized  that  all  human  beings  were 
sensitive  to  spiritual  influences, — that  they  as 
well  as  he  were  kin  to  the  Spiritual,  but  that 
they  were  forfeiting  this  spiritual  kinship  by 
conforming  to  the  natural  law  of  self-preser- 
vation and  disobeying  the  spiritual  Law  of 
Love.  He  saw  that  it  was  the  gracious  pur- 
pose of  God,  in  spite  of  the  disloyalty  of  the 
children  of  men,  to  provide  a  way  of  escape 
from  the  strife  of  the  natural  order  and  to  pro- 
vide an  entrance  into  their  heritage  in  the 
Spiritual  Kealm.  He  recognized  also  the  pres- 
ence of  a  spiritual  Vitality  that  issued  directly 
from  the  Father  of  Love,  by  reason  of  which 
this  advance  from  the  natural  into  the  spiritual 
was  to  be  vitalized.  Jesus  felt  that  he,  himself, 
was  the  incarnation  of  this  Loving  Thought  of 


Opening  Events  41 

the  Father  of  Love,  and  that  he  had  been  sent 
into  the  world  in  a  form  that  would  make  this 
Love  Thought  understandable. 

Jesus  recognized  that  if  humanity  were  ever 
to  realize  their  spiritual  heritage  they  must 
take  advantage  of  the  only  way  that  God  had 
provided  for  their  redemption.  They  must  be- 
lieve in  him  as  the  incarnation  of  the  Love 
Thought  of  the  Father ;  they  must  trust  them- 
selves to  the  Divine  Love  Vitality ;  and  they 
must  humbly  and  gratefully  obey  the  Spiritual 
Law  of  Love.  They  must  recognize  that  the 
only  way  of  escape  from  the  lower  life  was  to 
be  born  again  into  the  Spiritual  Realm ;  and 
this  could  take  place  only  by  the  grace  of  the 
Father  of  Love  through  the  power  of  Love 
Vitality  acting  in  response  to  a  grateful  and 
humble  and  obedient  faith  in  the  Love  Thought. 
To  tell  men  this  Good  News  of  the  Spiritual 
Realm  Jesus  felt  to  be  his  mission  in  Life. 

He  knew  that  such  a  course  would  be  un- 
popular and  probably  would  end  in  disaster, 
but  the  call  was  too  clear  to  be  denied.  Never- 
theless doubts  and  questions  crowded  his  mind. 
How  would  he  be  supported  and  protected? 
How  could  he  be  sure  that  he  was  doing  the 
wisest  thing  ?  Was  love  after  all  strong  enough 
to  overcome  the  world  ?  * 


*  Connection  supplied  by  author. 


42  The  Good  News 

That  he  was  giving  serious  thought  to  these 
questions  at  this  time  is  certain,  for  on  his  re- 
turn from  the  Jordan  he  was  driven  by  Divine 
Vitality  into  the  wilderness,  to  think  out  the 
meaning  of  his  mission  to  the  end,  and  to  be 
sure  of  himself  from  the  beginning.  There  in 
the  desert,  with  only  the  wild  animals  for  com- 
pany, he  remained  and  fasted  for  forty  days, 
and  for  forty  days  the  moral  struggle  went  on 
within  him. 

TTE  was  not  so  much  tempted  to  deny  his 
mission  as  he  was  tempted  to  doubt  and  to 
question.  The  devil  said  to  him,  "  If  you  are 
the  Son  of  God,  command  these  stones  to  be- 
come bread ;  by  so  doing  you  will  be  assured 
that  your  bodily  wants  will  be  supplied." 
Jesus'  reply  was,  "My  bodily  wants  are  not 
the  most  important  thing.  Besides  physical 
appetites  man  has  spiritual  aspirations  that  are 
to  be  satisfied  by  spiritual  food  that  comes  from 
the  Father  of  Love.  As  it  is  written,  'Man 
shall  not  live  by  bread  alone,  but  by  every  word 
that  proceeds  from  the  mouth  of  God.'  If  it 
ever  comes  to  a  choice  between  the  two,  the 
spiritual  is  the  more  important." 

Then  the  devil  seemed  to  lead  him  to  Jeru- 
salem, to  a  pinnacle  of  the  temple,  and  said : 
"  If  you  are  the  Son  of  God,  prove  it  where  all 


Matthew  iv.  1-11 ;  Mark  i.  12-13  ;  Luke  iv.  1-14. 


Opening  Events  43 

can  see.  Descend  from  here  to  the  temple 
courts,  you  need  not  be  afraid ;  it  is  written, 
'  He  will  give  his  angels  charge  of  you,  they 
will  hold  you  up  in  their  hands  lest  at  any  time 
you  trip  against  a  stone.'' "  Jesus  replied : 
"  Yes,  it  is  true,  the  Father  of  Love  has  made 
many  promises  of  protection  to  all  those  who 
are  seeking  to  do  his  will,  but  they  should  be 
accepted  humbly  and  gratefully.  One  ought 
not  to  see  how  far  he  can  venture  in  selfishness, 
or  recklessness,  or  worldly  success,  without  fall- 
ing ;  for  it  is  also  written,  '  Thou  shalt  not  put 
the  Lord  thy  God  to  the  test?  " 

The  devil  led  him  to  a  very  high  mountain 
and  showed  him  all  the  kingdoms  of  this  world, 
as  though  they  were  spread  out  before  him.  He 
said  to  him,  "  You  think  your  mission  is  to  re- 
deem the  kingdoms  of  men.  Now  all  these  are 
mine  and  I  can  give  them  to  whom  I  please. 
You  may  have  all  this  authority  and  all  this 
wealth  at  once,  if  you  will  worship  me." 

Jesus  replied :  "  Yes,  my  mission  is  to  redeem 
the  nations,  but  it  can  only  be  done  by  reveal- 
ing to  the  children  of  men  the  "Way  of  Life, 
that  lies  through  faith  in  the  Law  of  Love.  It 
is  not  by  authority  from  without  that  this  can 
be  done,  but  it  is  by  awakening  faith  within 
and  a  grateful  obedience  to  the  Father  of  Love. 
It  is  written,  *  Thou  shalt  worship  the  Lord  thy 
God  and  him  only  shalt  thou  serve?  " 


44  The  Good  News 

As  he  faced  the  different  temptations  they 
lost  their  force,  and  help  came  to  him  from  the 
Spiritual  Realm  so  that  his  own  faith  in  the 
power  of  Love  to  meet  every  emergency  was 
strengthened  by  Love  Vitality ;  and  he  returned 
to  Galilee  confident  and  serene  for  his  mission 
in  life.  He  began  at  once  to  teach  in  their 
synagogues  and  his  fame  went  out  through  all 
the  region. 

IT  was  his  custom  on  the  Sabbath  day  to  go 
to  the  synagogue  and,  being  at  his  old  home  in 
Nazareth  on  the  Sabbath,  he  entered  the  syna- 
gogue and  stood  up  to  read.  They  handed  him 
the  book  of  the  prophet  Isaiah.  He  opened 
the  roll  and  found  the  place  where  it  is  written  : 

"  The  Vitality  of  the  Lord  is  upon  me. 

He  has  chosen  me  to  preach  Good  News  to  the 

poor  ; 

He  has  sent  me  to  proclaim  release  to  the  captives, 
And  recovery  of  sight  to  the  blind, 
To  set  free  the  oppressed, 
And  to  proclaim  the  year  of  the  Lord* s  favor." 

Then  he  rolled  up  the  book  and  returned  it 
to  the  attendant.  The  eyes  of  all  in  the  syna- 
gogue were  fixed  upon  him,  waiting  for  him  to 
speak. 

Then  he  said:   "To-day  this  Scripture  has 


Luke  iv.  16-30. 


Opening  Events  45 

been  fulfilled  for  you.  Doubtless  you  will  re- 
mind me  of  the  old  saying,  '  Physician,  heal 
thyself,'  and  ask  that  what  has  been  done  in 
other  places  be  done  here  in  my  native  town. 
But  unfortunately  a  prophet  is  honored  any- 
where but  in  his  own  country. 

"There  were  many  widows  in  Israel  when 
Elijah  lived,  besides  the  Sidonian  widow  of 
Zarepath,  but  when  there  was  a  drought  in  the 
land  for  three  years  and  a  half,  it  was  only  to 
her  that  Elijah  came.  There  were  many  lepers 
in  Israel  in  Elisha's  day,  but  none  of  them  were 
cleansed  but  Naaman,  the  Syrian." 

At  first  the  listeners  were  pleased  by  the 
grace  of  his  words  and  exclaimed,  "  Why,  can 
this  be  Joseph's  son  ?  "  But  as  he  proceeded 
they  became  increasingly  angry  and  finally 
hustled  him  out  of  the  synagogue  to  the  edge 
of  the  cliff  on  which  the  town  is  built  and 
attempted  to  throw  him  over,  but  he  passed 
through  their  midst  and  went  away. 


CHAPTER  THREE 
EARLIEST  TEACHING  IN  JEEUSALEM 


f  m  ^HE  Passover  Feast  was  at  hand  and 
Jesus  went  up  to  it  and  taught  in  the 

JL  temple.  Many  saw  the  works  that  he 
did  and  professed  to  believe  in  him,  but  Jesus 
did  not  altogether  trust  them  because  he  could 
read  men's  hearts,  and  was  not  deceived  by 
protestations. 

While  Jesus  was  in  Jerusalem  a  man  of  the 
Pharisees  named  Mcodemus,  a  ruler  of  the 
Jews,  came  to  Jesus  by  night  and  said  to  him  : 
"  Sir,  we  know  that  you  are  a  teacher  that  has 
been  taught  of  God,  for  no  one  could  do  the 
works  that  you  are  doing  unless  God  was  with 
him.  May  I  ask  you  a  question  ?  You  speak 
of  the  Kingdom  of  God ;  what  do  you  mean 
by  it  ?  " 

Jesus  replied :  "  The  Kingdom  of  God,  or 
the  Spiritual  Realm,  is  an  independent  order  of 
reality  that  is  higher  than  the  natural  order, 
and  cannot  be  fully  understood  except  by  one 
who  is  born  from  above." 

Nicodemus  said :  "  How  can  a  man  be  born 


John  ii.  13 ;  ii.  23-iii.  21 ;  iii.  31-36. 
46 


Earliest  Teaching  in  Jerusalem       47 

when  he  is  old  ?  Can  he  enter  the  second 
time  into  his  mother's  womb  and  be  born  ?  " 

Jesus  answered :  "  It  is  not  a  matter  of 
physical  birth ;  but  nevertheless  I  repeat  what 
I  said,  except  one  be  born  of  Spiritual  Vitality 
he  cannot  advance  into  the  Spiritual  Realm. 
That  which  is  born  of  the  natural  flesh  is  flesh, 
of  course ;  but  that  which  is  born  of  Spiritual 
Vitality  is  spirit.  Do  not  wonder  when  I  say 
that  it  is  necessary  to  be  born  again.  There 
are  other  things  that  are  hard  for  you  to  under- 
stand. You  can  hear  the  sound  of  the  wind  as 
it  passes,  but  you  do  not  know  from  whence  it 
comes,  or  whither  it  is  going.  In  a  similar  way 
one  may  be  conscious  of  the  spiritual  birth 
without  being  able  to  understand  from  whence 
it  comes  or  whither  it  will  lead." 

JSTicodemus  replied :  "  But  how  can  it  be 
possible  ?  " 

Jesus  said:  "Are  you  a  teacher  in  Israel, 
Nicodemus,  and  doubt  what  I  have  said?  I 
am  telling  you  only  what  I  know  to  be  true, 
and  am  bearing  witness  only  to  what  I  have 
seen ;  but  you  do  not  accept  my  testimony.  If 
you  are  unwilling  to  believe  when  I  tell  you 
earthly  things,  how  do  you  expect  to  believe  if 
I  tell  you  Spiritual  truths  ?  No  man  can  enter 
the  Spiritual  Realm  to  prove  its  existence  for 
himself.  He  must  accept  it  on  faith  in  the 
word  of  the  only  one  who  is  able  to  testify, 


48  The  Good  News 

and  that  One  is  the  Son  of  man  who  came 
forth  from  the  Spiritual  Realm,  and  still  re- 
tains his  life  in  the  Spiritual  Realm. 

"  Just  as  Moses  lifted  up  the  serpent  in  the 
wilderness,  so  that  all  who  had  faith  to  look 
up  might  be  healed ;  even  thus  must  the  Son 
of  man  be  lifted  up,  so  that  all  those  that  be- 
lieve in  the  Love  Thought  may  not  perish  but 
may  enter  the  timeless  life  of  the  Spiritual 
Realm. 

"  For  the  Father  of  Love  so  loved  the  world 
that  he  gave  his  only  begotten  Son  that  who- 
ever trustingly  believes  in  him  should  not 
perish,  but  should  have  the  timeless  Life.  For 
the  Father  of  Love  did  not  send  his  Son  into 
the  world  to  condemn  the  world,  but  that  the 
world  through  him  might  be  saved.  He  that 
trustingly  believes  in  the  only  begotten  Son  of 
the  Father  of  Love  does  not  come  into  judg- 
ment, but  he  that  does  not  believe  in  him  has 
by  that  very  fact  been  already  judged.  For  the 
Love  Thought  has  come  as  a  Light  into  the 
world,  and  men  are  tested  by  their  attitude 
towards  that  Light. 

"  If  their  works  are  evil,  men  will  prefer 
darkness  rather  than  light;  for  men  that  do 
wicked  deeds  hate  the  light  and  will  not  come 
into  it  because  they  know  that  it  will  expose 
their  wickedness  and  they  will  be  reproved. 
But  men  that  purpose  to  do  right  are  glad  to 


Earliest  Teaching  in  Jerusalem       49 

come  into  the  light,  for  they  know  that  it  will 
prove  that  their  deeds  are  in  harmony  with  the 
will  of  the  Father  of  Love. 

"  He  that  is  of  the  natural  world  belongs  to 
it  and  therefore  defends  it,  but  he  that  conies 
from  the  Spiritual  Kealm  is  above  all  nature. 
He  tells  of  a  higher  Order  that  he  has  seen  and 
experienced,  but  few,  indeed,  receive  his  testi- 
mony. 

"  He  that  does  accept  it,  however,  is  made 
confident  that  Love  is  supreme  reality,  and 
that  he,  whom  the  Father  of  Love  has  sent,  is 
a  true  expression  of  the  very  Love  Thought  of 
the  Father  of  Love,  for  he  has  been  given  Love 
Vitality  without  measure.  The  Father  loves 
the  Son  and  has  given  all  things  into  his  hands. 
He  that  believes,  and  trusts,  and  obeys  the  Love 
Thought  has  the  timeless,  spiritual  Life ;  but 
he  that  distrusts  the  Love  Thought  can  never 
hope  for  it,  because  the  displeasure  of  the 
Father  of  Love  abides  upon  him." 

FOE  a  time  Jesus  tarried  in  Judea  and  his 
disciples  began  to  baptize  converts.  John  was 
also  baptizing  in  ^Enon  near  to  Salim,  where 
there  was  plenty  of  water.  One  day  a  dis- 
cussion arose  between  some  disciples  of  John 
and  a  Jew  about  baptism,  and  they  came  to  John. 


John  iii.  22-30. 


50  The  Good  News 

"Teacher,"  they  said,  "he  that  was  with 
you  beyond  the  Jordan  and  whom  you  en- 
dorsed, is  now  himself  baptizing  and  many  are 
going  to  him."  John  replied :  "  A  man  can 
have  no  power  unless  it  is  given  him  from  the 
Spiritual  Realm.  You  will  bear  me  witness 
that  I  said,  *  I  am  not  the  Messiah  ;  I  am  sent 
to  prepare  the  way  for  him.'  He  that  has  the 
bride  is  the  bridegroom,  but  the  friend  of  the 
bridegroom  stands  by  him  and  rejoices  to  see 
his  gladness.  This  is  my  joy.  He  will  in- 
crease, but  I  must  decrease." 

WHEN  it  was  brought  to  the  attention  of 
Jesus  that  the  Pharisees  were  commenting  on 
the  fact  that  his  disciples  were  baptizing  more 
than  John's,  he  left  Judea  and  returned  to 
Galilee.  To  do  this  it  was  necessary  for  him  to 
pass  through  Samaria.  On  the  way  he  came 
near  the  town  of  Sychar,  to  the  well  that 
Jacob  had  given  to  his  son  Joseph. 

Jesus,  being  weary  with  his  journey,  rested  by 
the  well.  About  noon,  while  his  disciples  had 
gone  to  the  town  to  buy  food,  a  Samaritan 
woman  came  to  the  well  to  draw  water.  Jesus 
asked  her  to  give  him  a  drink.  It  was  not  cus- 
tomary for  the  Jews  to  hold  intercourse  with 
the  Samaritans  and  the  woman  naturally  asked 

John  iv.  1-42. 


Earliest  Teaching  in  Jerusalem       51 

him,  "  Why,  how  is  this  ?  that  a  Jew,  as  you 
are,  asks  water,  not  only  of  a  Samaritan,  but  of 
a  Samaritan  woman  ?  " 

Jesus  replied,  "  If  you  knew  of  the  gift  that 
the  Father  of  Love  can  give  and  who  it  is  that 
asks  you  for  a  drink,  you  would  ask  of  him  and 
he  would  freely  give  you  the  living  water." 

The  woman  said  to  him,  "  Sir,  you  have 
nothing  with  which  to  draw  and  the  well  is 
deep.  Are  you  greater  than  our  father  Jacob, 
who  gave  us  the  well  and  drank  of  it  himself 
and  his  sons  and  his  cattle  ?  Say,  what  do 
you  mean  by  *  the  living  water '  ?  " 

Jesus  replied,  "  Every  one  that  drinks  of  this 
water  shall  thirst  again,  but  whoever  drinks  of 
the  water  that  I  can  give  will  never  thirst,  but 
it  will  be  in  him  an  endless  refreshment  in  a 
timeless  Life."  "  Sir,"  said  the  woman,  "  give 
me  this  water,  so  that  I  shall  not  be  thirsty  and 
shall  not  need  to  come  the  long  distance  to  the 
well." 

Jesus  said  to  her,  "  Go,  call  your  husband 
and  return  here."  She  replied,  "  I  have  no 
husband."  "  You  speak  truly,"  said  Jesus  ; 
"  you  have  had  five  husbands  ;  the  one  you  are 
now  living  with  is  not  your  husband.  That  is 
so." 

The  woman  said,  "  Sir,  I  see  that  you  are  a 
prophet.  Say,  let  me  ask  you  a  question.  You 
know  that  our  fathers  have  always  worshipped 


52  The  Good  News 

in  this  mountain,  but  the  Jews  say  that  in 
Jerusalem  is  the  place  where  men  ought  to 
worship." 

Jesus  said  to  her :  "  Sister,  believe  me,  the 
hour  is  coming  when  it  will  not  be  necessary  to 
go  to  this  mountain  nor  to  Jerusalem  to  wor- 
ship the  Father.  You  do  not  understand  what 
you  worship,  but  we  do ;  and  salvation  comes 
from  the  Jews.  But  the  hour  is  coming,  yes  it 
is  already  here,  when  sincere  believers  may 
worship  the  Father  in  true  spiritual  worship 
anywhere,  for  the  Father  is  everywhere  seeking 
such  to  worship  him.  The  Father  of  Love  is 
Spirit  and  they  that  worship  him  must  worship 
spiritually  and  sincerely." 

"  Yes,"  said  the  woman,  "  I  know  that  the 
Messiah  is  coming.  When  he  comes  he  will 
make  all  these  things  plain." 

"  I  am  the  Messiah,"  said  Jesus.  "  I  am 
speaking  with  you  now." 

JUST  then  the  disciples  returned,  and  al- 
though they  were  surprised  that  he  should  be 
speaking  to  a  Samaritan  woman,  no  one  referred 
to  it.  They  asked  him  to  eat  with  them,  but  he 
replied  sadly,  "  I  have  food  to  eat  that  you  do 
not  know  about."  They  whispered  to  one  an- 
other, "  Has  any  one  brought  him  food  ? " 
Jesus  continued,  "  My  food  is  to  do  the  will  of 
him  that  sent  me  and  to  complete  his  work. 


Earliest  Teaching  in  Jerusalem        5*3 

Do  not  think,  there  are  still  four  months  before 
the  time  of  harvest,  why,  open  your  eyes  and 
look  on  the  fields,  they  are  already  white,  just 
waiting  for  the  harvest. 

"There  is  a  harvest  for  the  timeless  life. 
The  old  proverb  is  true,  'one  sows,  another 
reaps.'  Other  men  have  toiled  to  sow  its  seed, 
but  you  are  to  do  the  reaping.  Others  have 
toiled  and  you  will  have  the  benefit,  and  enjoy 
the  fruits,  but  they  that  toiled  in  the  sowing 
will  not  be  without  their  joy,  they  will  rejoice 
with  you  in  the  harvest." 

Meanwhile  the  woman  had  left  her  water  jar 
and  returned  to  the  town  and  said  to  the  people, 
"  Come  see  the  man  that  told  me  everything  I 
ever  did.  Do  you  think  that  he  can  be  the 
Messiah  ?  "  They  returned  with  her  to  the  well 
and  many  of  the  Samaritans  believed  in  him 
from  the  woman's  testimony. 

They  urged  Jesus  to  remain  with  them  and 
he  did  so  for  two  days,  and  many  more  became 
his  followers,  because  of  his  words.  "  We  be- 
lieve," they  said,  "  because  we  have  heard  him 
ourselves  and  know  that  he  is  indeed  the 
Saviour  of  the  world." 


CHAPTER  FOUR 
EARLY  TEACHING  IN  GALILEE 

AFTER  these  two  days  Jesus  returned  to 
Galilee  and  dwelt  in  Capernaum,  near 
the  borders  of  Zebulun  and  Naphtali. 
From  this  time  he  went  constantly  about  Gali- 
lee preaching. 

The  burden  of  his  message  was,  "  The  time  is 
come.  The  Spiritual  Realm,  The  Kingdom  of 
Love,  is  here.  Repent  and  believe  in  the  Good 
News."  The  Galileans  received  him  gladly,  for 
many  of  them  were  with  him  in  Jerusalem  at 
the  Feast  and  had  been  witnesses  of  the  things 
that  he  had  done  there. 

ONE  day  as  Jesus  was  passing  through  Cana, 
where  he  had  changed  the  water  into  wine,  a 
nobleman  who  lived  in  Capernaum  sought  him 
out  to  tell  him  that  his  son  was  at  the  point  of 
death  and  to  beseech  him  to  come  and  heal 
him. 

Jesus  said  to  him,  "  Will  you  not  believe  un- 
less you  see  signs  and  wonders  ?  "  "  Sir,"  said 
the  nobleman,  "  come,  before  the  child  dies." 


Matthew  iv.  12-17 ;  Mark  i.  14-15 ;  John  iv.  43-45. 
John  iv.  46-54. 

54 


Early  Teaching  in  Galilee  $$ 

Jesus  said  to  him,  "  You  may  return  home, 
the  boy  will  live."  The  man  believed  Jesus 
and  immediately  started  on  his  way  back.  Be- 
fore he  reached  home  he  met  his  servants  com- 
ing to  tell  him  that  his  child  was  getting  better. 
He  inquired  of  them  as  to  the  hour  when  he 
began  to  improve  and  they  told  him  that  the 
fever  had  left  the  child  at  about  the  seventh 
hour  :  it  was  the  very  hour  that  Jesus  had  said 
to  him,  "  Your  son  will  live."  Because  of  the 
healing  he  and  his  whole  family  became  be- 
lievers. 


ONE  day  Jesus  was  passing  by  the  Sea  of 
Galilee  and  the  multitude  pressed  upon  him  to 
hear  the  word  of  God.  There  were  two  boats 
near  by  and  the  fishermen  had  come  ashore  to 
clean  their  nets.  One  of  the  boats  belonged  to 
Peter  and  Andrew.  Jesus  went  aboard  this 
boat  and  asked  them  to  push  off  a  little  from 
the  shore  while  he  talked  to  the  multitude  from 
the  boat. 

When  he  had  ceased  speaking,  he  said  to 
Peter,  "  Push  out  into  deep  water  and  let  down 
your  nets."  But  Peter  hesitated  and  said, 
"Master,  we  worked  all  last  night  and  took 
nothing,  nevertheless,  if  you  say  so,  we  will  try 
again." 

Matthew  iv.  18-22  ;  Mark  i.  16-20  ;  Luke  v.  1-11. 


56  The  Good  News 

When  they  had  let  down  the  nets,  they  en- 
closed a  great  quantity  of  fish,  so  much  so  that 
the  nets  began  to  break.  They  signalled  to 
their  partners  in  the  other  boat  to  come  and 
help  them,  and  both  boats  were  filled  so  that 
they  almost  sank. 

When  Peter  saw  the  draught  of  fish  he  was 
amazed,  and  so  were  his  partners,  James  and 
John,  the  sons  of  Zebedee.  Peter  kneeled  at 
the  feet  of  Jesus  and  said,  "  Oh  Lord,  I  am  a 
sinful  man,  I  am  unworthy  to  be  in  thy  presence." 

Jesus  replied  to  him,  "Do  not  be  afraid, 
Peter,  but  come  with  me  and,  from  now  on, 
we  will  fish  for  men."  So  they  brought  their 
boat  to  the  shore  and  they  left  all  and  followed 
him. 

Going  a  little  farther,  Jesus  called  to  James 
and  John.  They  left  their  father  Zebedee  in 
the  boat  with  the  hired  servants  and  they  also 
followed  Jesus. 

ONE  Sabbath  day  he  went  to  the  synagogue 
in  Capernaum  and  taught  the  people.  As  usual, 
they  were  much  astonished  at  his  teaching,  for 
he  spoke  with  evident  authority. 

There  was  present  a  man  who  was  possessed 
by  the  spirit  of  an  unclean  demon.  The  man 
cried  out  in  a  loud  voice,  "  We  know  who  you 


Matthew  viii.  14-17  ;  Mark  i.  21-34  ;  Luke  iv.  31-41. 


Early  Teaching  in  Galilee  57 

are.  You  are  Jesus  of  Nazareth,  the  Holy  One 
of  God.  Let  us  alone.  What  have  we  done 
that  you  should  come  to  destroy  us  ?  "  Jesus 
rebuked  the  demon  and  commanded  him  to 
come  out  of  the  man.  After  throwing  him 
into  a  convulsion,  the  demon  left  him.  Every 
one  was  amazed  and  questioned  each  other  as 
to  the  secret  of  Jesus'  power,  a  power  that  even 
the  evil  spirits  obeyed. 

When  they  came  out  of  the  synagogue  they 
went  into  the  house  of  Peter  and  Andrew,  and 
James  and  John  went  with  them.  It  happened 
that  Peter's  mother-in-law  was  sick  with  a 
fever.  They  told  Jesus  about  her  condition 
and  besought  him  to  heal  her.  Jesus  took  her 
by  the  hand  and  rebuked  the  fever  and  it  sub- 
sided immediately.  She  rose  from  her  bed  and 
at  once  began  to  serve  them. 

As  evening  drew  near  it  seemed  as  though 
the  whole  town  was  gathered  at  the  door. 
They  brought  to  him  all  that  were  sick  and  he 
laid  his  hands  on  them  and  healed  them.  Many 
demoniacs  were  brought  to  him,  some  of  whom 
recognized  him  as  the  Messiah  and  cried  out, 
"Thou  art  the  Son  of  God."  Jesus  rebuked 
the  demons,  not  letting  them  speak,  and  com- 
manded them  to  be  gone.  All  of  this  was  in 
accordance  with  the  prophecy  of  Isaiah,  who 
said,  "  He  carried  our  infirmities  and  bore  our 
diseases." 


58  The  Good  News 

BEFOEE  daylight  the  next  morning,  Jesus 
rose  and  went  away  to  a  desolate  place  where 
he  could  be  alone  to  pray.  Peter  and  the 
others  sought  him  out  and  when  they  found 
him  they  said,  "Every  one  is  searching  for 
you."  Jesus  replied:  "Let  us  go  away  into 
other  towns  that  I  may  preach  there  also,  for 
that  is  the  reason  that  I  have  come  forth  from 
the  Father  of  Love:  to  proclaim  everywhere 
the  Good  News  of  the  Spiritual  Kealm." 

When  Jesus  came  down  from  the  mountain, 
great  multitudes  followed  him.  At  first  they 
tried  to  keep  him  from  leaving  their  village ; 
but  he  left  them  and  went  about  all  Galilee, 
teaching  in  their  synagogues,  telling  the  Good 
News  of  the  Spiritual  Realm,  and  healing  all 
manner  of  sickness  among  the  people. 

In  one  of  the  villages  a  leper  came  to  him  and 
crouching  at  his  feet  besought  him  to  heal  him. 
He  said,  "  If  you  are  willing  to  do  it,  you  can 
make  me  clean."  Jesus  pitied  the  poor  man 
and  laid  his  hands  on  him  and  said,  "  I  am  will- 
ing to  do  it.  Be  clean."  The  leprosy  left  him 
at  once  and  he  was  clean. 

Jesus  commanded  him  not  to  talk  about  it,  but 
to  go  at  once  to  the  temple,  show  himself  to  the 
priest,  and  offer  the  customary  sacrifice  for  his 


Matthew  iv.  23 ;  riii.  2-4 ;  Mark  i.  35-45 ;  Luke  iv. 
42-44 ;  v.  12-16. 


Early  Teaching  in  Galilee  59 

cleansing.  But  the  man  could  not  refrain  from 
talking  about  it.  The  crowds  that  followed 
Jesus  increased  so  much  that  he  could  no  longer 
enter  a  town  publicly.  He  spent  much  of  his 
time  away  in  solitary  places  where  he  could  be 
alone  in  prayer.  Still  the  people  found  him  out 
and  came  to  him  from  every  quarter. 

ON  one  of  these  occasions  Jesus  was  in  a 
house  speaking  and  healing  the  sick,  and  it  was 
evident  that  the  power  of  the  Lord  was  with 
him.  By  this  time  the  Pharisees  and  lawyers 
had  begun  to  take  notice  of  him  and  some  of 
them  were  present  from  Galilee  and  Judea  and 
even  from  Jerusalem.  The  rooms  were  crowded 
and  it  was  difficult  to  get  near  him.  Some  men 
came,  bringing  a  paralyzed  man  on  a  stretcher. 
When  they  found  that  it  was  impossible  to  gain 
entrance  because  of  the  crowd,  they  carried  him 
to  the  roof  and,  after  removing  the  tile  and  roof 
boards,  they  lowered  the  stretcher  with  the  man 
on  it  into  the  midst  of  the  company. 

Jesus,  seeing  their  faith,  said  to  the  paralytic, 
"  My  son,  be  comforted,  your  sins  are  forgiven." 
The  scribes  and  the  Pharisees  whispered  to- 
gether, saying,  "  This  man  is  blasphemous.  No 
one  can  forgive  sins  but  God." 

Jesus  was  conscious  of  their  thoughts  and 


Matthew  ix.  2-8 ;  Mark  ii.  1-12  ;  Luke  v.  17-26. 


60  The  Good  News 

said  to  them,  "  "Why  do  you  raise  these  evil 
questions  in  your  hearts?  What  difference 
does  it  make  whether  I  say,  '  Your  sins  are 
forgiven,'  or  '  Arise  and  walk  '  ?  But  that  you 
may  know  that  the  Son  of  man  has  authority 
on  earth  to  forgive  sins,  I  will  heal  this  man." 

Then  turning  to  the  one  who  was  paralyzed 
he  said,  "  I  say  to  you,  take  up  this  bedding  and 
return  to  your  home."  Immediately  the  sick 
man  rose  up  before  them,  folded  together  the 
bedding  on  which  he  lay  and  returned  to  his 
home,  praising  God. 

The  bystanders  were  filled  with  amazement 
and  cried  out,  "  Glory  to  God ! "  As  they  sepa- 
rated a  feeling  of  awe  came  over  them  as  they 
thought  of  the  marvellous  thing  that  they  had 
seen. 

AFTEE  this  Jesus  went  out  and  came  to  a 
tax  station  by  the  seashore.  A  publican  by 
the  name  of  Levi  was  in  charge  and,  when 
Jesus  invited  him  to  become  one  of  his  disciples, 
Levi  at  once  left  everything  and  followed  him. 

Levi  invited  him  to  a  feast  to  which  he  also 
invited  many  others,  among  whom  were  many 
publicans  and  sinners.  Nevertheless  Jesus  and 
his  disciples  went  in  and  ate  with  them. 

The  Pharisees  and  scribes  who  were  following 


Matthew  ix.  9-17 ;  Mark  ii.  13-22  ;  Luke  v.  27-39. 


Early  Teaching  in  Galilee  61 

Jesus  found  fault  with  this  and  said  to  his  dis- 
ciples, "Why  does  your  Master  eat  with  tax 
collectors  and  sinners  ?  "  Jesus  replied  to  them, 
"  Who  is  it  that  requires  a  physician  ?  Is  it  the 
sick  or  the  well  ?  I  am  not  come  to  call  the 
righteous  but  to  call  sinners  to  repentance." 

Then  they  said  to  him,  "  The  disciples  of  John 
often  fast  and  it  is  our  own  custom  also,  but 
your  disciples  eat  and  drink  freely.  How  is 
this  ? "  Jesus  said  to  them,  "  Can  you  make 
the  friends  of  the  bridegroom  fast  while  he  is 
with  them?  The  day  will  come  when  the 
bridegroom  will  be  taken  away  from  them; 
then  they  will  fast.  No  one  spoils  a  new  gar- 
ment to  patch  an  old  one.  If  he  does  that  he 
not  only  ruins  the  new  garment,  but  the  new 
cloth  tears  away  from  the  old  and  makes  the 
rent  still  worse.  No  one  puts  new  wine  into 
old  wine  skins,  because  it  will  burst  and  ruin 
the  old  skins  and  be  itself  lost.  No,  new  wine 
must  be  put  into  fresh  wine  skins.  But,  alas, 
no  one  who  is  used  to  old  ways  likes  the  new ; 
they  always  think  that  the  old  are  better." 

JESUS  again  went  up  to  Jerusalem  to  a  feast. 
Near  the  Sheep  Gate  there  was  a  pool  that  was 
called  Bethesda.  It  had  five  porches  and  under 
these  porches  were  always  lying  a  great  many 

John  T. 


62  The  Good  News 

sick  people,  those  that  were  blind  and  lame  and 
paralyzed. 

These  people  believed  that  at  certain  times 
an  angel  of  the  Lord  descended  into  the  pool, 
causing  the  water  to  be  disturbed,  and  whoever 
could  first  get  into  the  pool  afterwards  would 
be  healed  of  whatever  sickness  he  had. 

Jesus  visited  the  pool  and  saw  a  man  who 
had  been  sick  for  thirty-eight  years  and  asked 
him  if  he  would  like  to  be  cured.  The  man  re- 
plied, "  Oh,  Sir,  I  have  no  one  to  help  me  into 
the  pool  when  the  water  is  troubled.  While  I 
am  getting  down  some  one  else  crowds  by  and 
gets  there  first." 

Jesus  said  to  him,  "  Kise  up,  take  your  mat 
and  go  away."  Immediately  the  man  was 
well,  took  up  his  mat,  and  walked  off.  It  hap- 
pened to  be  the  Sabbath  day  when  this  occurred 
and  some  Jews  seeing  the  man  carrying  his  bed 
said  to  him,  "  To-day  is  the  Sabbath ;  you  have 
no  right  to  be  carrying  a  burden." 

The  man  replied,  "The  one  who  made  me 
well  said  to  me, '  Take  up  your  mat  and  walk.' " 

The  Jews  asked  him  who  it  was  that  had  told 
him  to  do  it,  but  the  man  did  not  know,  for 
Jesus  had  disappeared  into  the  crowd. 

Later  in  the  day  Jesus  recognized  him  in  the 
temple  and  spoke  to  him,  saying,  "  Listen,  my 
friend,  you  are  well  now.  Do  not  sin  any 
more,  or  you  may  suffer  still  worse." 


Early  Teaching  in  Galilee  63 

The  man  went  to  the  Jews  and  told  them 
that  it  was  Jesus  that  had  healed  him.  The 
Jews  at  once  began  to  persecute  Jesus  for 
breaking  the  Sabbath,  but  he  replied,  "My 
Father  is  working  all  the  time  and  so  must  I." 

THEN  the  Jews  sought  to  kill  him,  not  only 
because  he  had  broken  the  Sabbath,  but  be- 
cause, by  calling  God  his  Father,  he  had  the 
same  as  claimed  equality  with  God. 

Jesus  said  to  them,  "  Most  seriously  I  tell 
you,  the  Son  can  do  nothing  of  himself,  but 
only  what  he  sees  the  Father  doing.  The 
Father  loves  the  Son  and  reveals  to  him  what 
he  is  himself  doing. 

"  The  Father  of  Love  recognizes  and  vitalizes 
the  Love  Thought  anywhere  and  everywhere, 
and  the  Love  Thought  can  intuitively  under- 
stand what  is  in  the  heart  of  the  Father  of  Love, 
and  whatever  he  is  doing,  the  Love  Thought 
can  do,  but  only  in  the  same  loving  manner." 

Jesus  said  to  them,  "  You  have  wondered  at 
the  things  you  have  already  seen,  but  greater 
works  than  these  will  the  Father  show  the  Son, 
that  you  may  be  filled  with  deeper  wonder. 
For,  just  as  the  Father  awakens  the  dead  and 
gives  them  life,  so  the  Son  also  gives  Life  to 
whom  he  will.  Spiritual  Life  is  the  gift  of  the 
Father  of  Love  and  I,  the  Love  Thought,  can 
give  it  also. 


64  The  Good  News 

"  Neither  does  the  Father  judge  any  one  for 
he  has  given  all  judgment  to  the  Son,  so  that 
all  shall  honor  the  Son  just  as  they  honor  the 
Father.  He  that  does  not  honor  the  Love 
Thought  does  not  honor  the  Father  of  Love 
that  sent  the  Love  Thought  into  the  world. 

"  I  tell  you  seriously,  he  that  hears  my  words 
and  believes  in  him  that  sent  me  has  the  time- 
less Life,  and  will  not  come  into  judgment,  for 
he  has  already  passed  out  of  the  sway  of  natural 
death  into  the  higher  Life  of  the  spirit. 

"  He  that  hears  the  word  of  Love  and  be- 
lieves it,  that  trusts  and  obeys  the  Father  of 
Love,  already  has  the  timeless,  spiritual  Life. 
He  has  already  met  the  conditions  and  has 
passed  from  the  natural  realm  into  correspond- 
ence with  the  Spiritual. 

"Again,  and  I  am  speaking  most  seriously, 
the  hour  comes,  yes,  it  is  here,  when  even  the 
dead  shall  hear  the  voice  of  the  Son  of  the 
Father  of  Love,  and  they  that  hear  it  shall  Live. 
The  Father,  who  is  Love  Absolute,  is  the  source 
of  vitality  in  himself  and  he  has  given  to  the 
Son,  who  is  his  own  Love  Thought,  to  be  the 
same  source  of  vitality ;  and,  because  he  is  the 
Son  of  man,  he  gave  him  authority  to  bring 
men  to  the  test. 

"Do  not  marvel  at  this.  The  hour  comes 
when  all  that  are  in  the  grave  even  shall  hear 
his  voice  and  come  forth, — they  that  have  done 


Early  Teaching  in  Galilee  65 

good  into  a  higher  Life  and  they  that  have  done 
evil  into  the  finality  of  judgment. 

"  I  CAN  accomplish  nothing  if  I  act  selfishly. 
I  test  men  as  I  have  been  taught  by  the  Father 
of  Love,  and  my  test  will  be  fair,  because  my 
aim  is  not  to  do  my  own  will,  but  to  do  the 
will  of  him  who  sent  me. 

"  I  cannot  receive  honor  from  men  when  they 
do  not  have  the  love  of  God  in  their  hearts.  I 
am  come  in  Love's  name  and  you  are  unwilling 
to  receive  me.  If  another  should  come  in  his 
own  name  you  would  receive  him.  Why  is  it 
that  you  are  willing  to  receive  those  whose  only 
glory  comes  from  one  another,  but  reject  the 
one  whose  glory  comes  from  the  Father  of 
Love? 

"  Do  not  think  that  I  will  accuse  you  to  the 
Father.  The  one  who  accuses  you  is  Moses, 
the  very  one  on  whom  you  set  your  hope.  But 
if  you  really  believed  in  Moses,  you  would  be- 
lieve in  me,  for  he  wrote  of  me.  If  you  do  not 
believe  his  writings,  of  course  you  will  not  be- 
lieve what  I  say. 

"  I  am  telling  you  these  things  that,  if  pos- 
sible, you  may  be  saved.  If  I  only  bore  wit- 
ness of  myself,  my  witness  would  not  be  con- 
vincing, but  besides  Moses  there  is  another  that 
bears  witness  of  me,  and  I  know  that  his  witness 
is  true.  John  was  a  bright  and  shining  torch 


66  The  Good  News 

and  for  a  time  you  were  glad  to  rejoice  in  his 
light.  You  sent  to  John  and  he  told  you  the 
truth. 

"  But  it  is  not  necessary  for  me  to  appeal  to 
the  witness  of  men.  The  mission  to  which  the 
Father  has  called  me,  the  very  works  that  I  do, 
they  all  testify  that  the  Father  of  Love  has  sent 
me.  This  should  be  sufficient  evidence,  but 
there  is  still  One  who  bears  witness  of  me,  who 
is  greater  than  all  these,  even  the  Father  of 
Love.  But  you  have  never  heard  his  voice  or 
seen  his  form,  and  it  is  because  you  do  not  have 
his  spirit  of  Love  abiding  in  you  that  you  do 
not  believe  in  me  whom  he  has  sent. 

"  You  search  the  Scriptures  because  you  think 
that  in  them  you  will  find  eternal  life,  but  you 
will  not  come  to  me,  to  whom  these  very  Scrip- 
tures bear  witness.  You  will  not  come  to  me, 
the  only  One  who  is  able  to  give  you  the  higher 
Life  of  the  spirit. 

"  I  have  just  cured  this  sick  man  on  the  Sab- 
bath day  and  you  criticize  me  for  it.  Circum- 
cision is  a  custom  that  has  come  down  from  the 
fathers  which  Moses  endorsed,  and  on  this 
Sabbath  day  you  have  as  usual  circumcised  a 
child.  If  it  is  right  to  mutilate  a  child  by 
circumcision  on  the  Sabbath  day  according  to 
the  law  of  Moses,  why  are  you  angry  with  me 


John  vii.  21-24. 


Early  Teaching  in  Galilee  67 

because  I  make  a  man  well  ?  Do  not  be 
superficial  in  your  judgments ;  be  reasonable 
and  just." 

Jesus  then  returned  to  Galilee  and  continued 
to  go  about  teaching  in  their  synagogues  and 
proclaiming  the  Good  News  of  the  Spiritual 
Realm.  The  reports  of  his  power  went  all  over 
Syria  and  they  brought  to  him  those  that  were 
sick,  the  insane,  demoniacs,  epileptics,  or  those 
that  were  paralyzed,  and  he  healed  them  all. 
Great  multitudes  from  all  Galilee,  from 
Decapolis  and  Jerusalem,  from  all  Judea  and 
even  from  beyond  the  Jordan,  followed  him 
about. 

ONE  Sabbath  Jesus  and  his  disciples  were 
passing  through  a  grain  field  and,  as  his  dis- 
ciples were  hungry,  they  began  to  break  off  the 
grain  and  rub  it  in  their  hands  and  eat  the 
kernels.  When  the  Pharisees  noticed  it,  they 
said  to  Jesus,  "  Look,  your  disciples  are  doing 
what  it  is  not  lawful  to  do  on  the  Sabbath." 

Jesus  replied  :  "  Have  you  not  read  what 
David  did  in  the  time  of  Abiather,  the  high 
priest  ?  When  he  and  his  soldiers  were  hungry 
they  went  into  the  house  of  God  and  actually 
ate  the  shew  bread  that  was  offered  on  the 
altar,  which  you  know  he  had  no  right  to  do, 


Matthew  iv.  23-25. 

Matthew  xii.  1-8 ;  Mark  ii.  23-28 ;  Luke  vi, 


68  The  Good  News 

as  it  is  reserved  for  the  priests.  Have  you  not 
read  in  the  Book  of  the  Law,  that  when  the 
priests  have  to  labor  in  the  temple  services  on 
the  Sabbath  day,  they  are  not  held  guilty  ? 

"  Let  me  say  to  you,  there  is  one  here  who  is 
greater  than  the  temple.  The  Son  of  man  is 
Lord  of  the  Sabbath.  If  you  had  understood 
the  meaning  of  the  old  saying,  *  I  desire  loving 
kindness  and  not  sacrifice?  you  would  not  have 
condemned  these  men,  who  are  guiltless  of  any 
real  offense." 

WHEN  Jesus  entered  the  synagogue,  he  saw 
a  man  with  a  withered  hand.  The  scribes  and 
the  Pharisees  were  there  as  usual,  watching  to 
see  if  he  would  do  anything  that  was  unlawful, 
because  they  wanted  a  chance  to  accuse  him. 
Jesus  could  read  their  thoughts  and  said  to 
them,  "  If  one  of  you  had  a  sheep  that  fell  into 
a  pit  on  the  Sabbath  day,  would  you  not  take 
hold  and  lift  it  out  ?  Of  how  much  more  value 
is  a  man  than  a  sheep !  Is  it  lawful  to  do  good 
on  the  Sabbath  or  to  do  harm  ?  to  save  life  or  to 
destroy  ?  " 

As  he  looked  among  them  and  noticed  the 
hardness  of  their  hearts,  he  was  grieved  and 
angry,  but  as  they  made  no  reply  to  his  ques- 
tion, he  told  the  man  with  the  withered  hand 


Matthew  xii.  9-14  ;  Mark  iii.  1-6  ;  Luke  vi.  6-11. 


Early  Teaching  in  Galilee  69 

to  stand  up,  and  said  to  him,  "  Of  course  it  is 
right  to  do  good  on  the  Sabbath.  Stretch  forth 
your  hand."  He  did  so  and  it  was  perfect  like 
the  other. 

This  only  served  to  make  the  Pharisees  the 
more  angry,  and  they  went  out  and  consulted 
with  the  Galilean  officials  as  to  how  they  could 
get  rid  of  Jesus. 


CHAPTER  FIVE 

CHOOSING  THE  TWELVE  AND  STAY  IN 
GALILEE 

WHEN  Jesus  perceived  the  intent  of 
the  Pharisees  to  make  away  with 
him,  he  withdrew  to  the  mountain- 
ous shores  of  Galilee,  but  still  the  multitude  fol- 
lowed him.    They  came  from  Jerusalem,  from 
Idumsea  and  beyond  Jordan,  and  even  from  the 
seacoast  of  Tyre   and  Sidon.      They  brought 
their  sick  with  them,  the  insane  and  those  that 
had  the  plague,  and  sought  to  touch  him,  for 
power  seemed  to  come  forth  from  him  to  heal 
them  all. 
The  old  prophecy  of  Isaiah  was  being  fulfilled. 

"  He  is  my  beloved  in  whom  my  soul  delights. 

I  will  put  my  spirit  upon  Mm 

And  he  shall  be  a  standard  for  the  nations. 

He  will  not  strive  or  cry  aloud, 

No  one  in  the  streets  shall  be  disturbed  by  him. 

A  bruised  reed  he  will  not  break. 

And  a  wick  that  is  almost  out  he  will  not  quench. 

He  will  bring  justice  to  victory 

And  in  his  name  shatt  the  nations  hope." 


Matthew  iv.  23-25;  xii.  15-21  ;  Mark  iii.  7-12;  Luke 
Ti.  17-19. 

70 


Choosing  the  Twelve  71 

THE  crowds  so  pressed  upon  him  that  he 
asked  his  disciples  to  get  a  boat.  They  crossed 
the  sea  and  went  up  into  the  mountains  to  pray, 
and  all  that  night  he  continued  in  prayer  to 
God. 

"When  it  was  day  he  called  from  among  his 
followers  twelve  that  should  be  his  especial 
disciples.  He  planned  that  these  should  be 
with  him  all  the  time,  so  that  they  might  more 
thoroughly  understand  his  teaching  and  be 
ready  when  he  wanted  them  to  go  forth  to 
preach. 

The  twelve  that  he  chose  were  Simon, 
whom  he  had  named  Peter,  or  the  Kock; 
Andrew,  Simon's  brother ;  the  two  sons  of 
Zebedee,  James  and  John,  whom  he  afterwards 
called  the  Sons  of  Thunder;  Philip  and  Bar- 
tholomew ;  Matthew,  the  tax  collector;  Thomas ; 
James  the  son  of  Alphaeus ;  Thaddeus ;  Simon 
the  Zealot ;  and  Judas  Iscariot,  who  betrayed 
him. 

WITH  these  twelve  Jesus  withdrew  from  the 
multitude  into  the  mountains.  "When  they  were 
quite  alone  they  seated  themselves  and  Jesus 
taught  them  many  things,  so  that  they  might 
teach  others.  He  said  to  them : 


Mark  iii.  13-19;  Luke  vi.  12-19. 

Matthew  v.,  vi.,  vii. ;  Luke  vi.  20-49;  xi.  9-13 ;  xii. 
22-31. 


72  The  Good  News 

"  Blessed  are  the  humble  in  spirit,  for  the 

whole  Spiritual  Realm  is  theirs. 
Blessed  are  they  that  mourn  for  they  shall 

be  comforted. 
Blessed  are  the  gentle  for  they  shall  inherit 

the  earth. 
Blessed  are  they  that  hunger  and  thirst 

after  goodness  for  they  shall  be  satisfied. 
Blessed  are  the  merciful  for  they  shall 

obtain  mercy. 
Blessed  are  the  pure  in  heart  for  they  shall 

see  the  Father  of  Love. 
Blessed  are  the  peacemakers  for  they  shall 

be  called  sons  of  the  Father  of  Love. 
Blessed  are  they  who  are  persecuted  for 

their  goodness,  for  theirs,  also,  is  the 

Spiritual  Realm. 

"And  you,  my  disciples,  are  blessed  when 
men  reproach  you  and  persecute  you  and  say 
all  manner  of  cruel  things  against  you  falsely,  for 
my  sake.  Rejoice  and  be  very  glad,  for  great 
is  your  reward  in  the  Spiritual  Realm,  for  the 
prophets  of  old  were  persecuted  in  the  same  way. 

"  Woe  unto  the  rich  for  they  are  now  enjoy- 
ing all  the  comforts  they  will  ever  have  ! 

"  Woe  unto  those  who  are  now  surfeited,  for 
they  will  go  hungry  hereafter ! 

"  Woe  unto  those  that  now  laugh  for  later 
on  they  will  mourn ! 


Choosing  the  Twelve  73 

"  And  woe  unto  you,  my  disciples,  when  all 
men  shall  speak  well  of  you,  for  the  false 
prophets  of  old  were  praised  in  the  same  way. 


"  YOU  are  to  be  a  kind  of  salt  to  the  natural 
order,  but  if  the  salt  has  lost  its  virtue,  what 
good  is  it  ?  It  is  good  for  nothing  but  to  be 
thrown  out  and  trodden  under  foot. 

"  You  are  to  be  a  light  to  the  natural  order. 
Men  do  not  light  a  lamp  and  then  hide  it  under 
a  bushel  measure.  They  put  it  on  a  stand 
where  it  shines  for  all  in  the  house.  In  the 
same  way  let  your  light  shine  before  men  that 
they  may  see  your  usefulness  and  then  they  will 
glorify  your  Father  who  is  in  the  Spiritual 
Realm. 

"  Do  not  think  that  I  have  come  to  set  aside 
the  Law  and  the  Prophets.  I  came  not  to 
annul,  but  to  fulfill.  I  say  emphatically  that 
as  long  as  the  natural  heavens  and  the  earth 
remain,  not  the  dot  of  an  i  or  the  cross  of  a  t 
of  the  Law  shall  pass  away  until  all  be  accom- 
plished. 

"  Whoever  therefore  shall  break  the  least  of 
these  commandments,  or  shall  teach  men  to  do 
so,  shall  be  called  least  in  the  Spiritual  Realm. 
But  whoever  shall  do  and  teach  them  shall  be 
called  great  in  the  Spiritual  Realm. 

Luke  xi.  33. 


74  The  Good  News 

"  I  warn  you  that  unless  your  righteousness 
exceeds  that  of  the  scribes  and  Pharisees,  you  will 
have  no  chance  of  entering  the  Spiritual  Realm. 

"  YOU  know  that  it  was  said  of  old,  '  Thou 
shalt  not  kill,'  and  'whoever  kills  will  be  in 
danger  of  judgment]  and  '  whoever  insults  his 
brother  must  come  "before  the  Sanhedrim]  and 
1  whoever  curses  his  brother  must  be  cast  into 
Gehenna.1  But  I  say  to  you  that  if  any  one  is 
even  angry  with  his  brother,  he  has  already 
committed  murder  in  his  heart. 

"  If  you  come  to  the  temple  altar  with  an 
offering,  and  recall  that  your  brother  had  some- 
thing against  you,  leave  your  offering  there  and 
first  become  reconciled  to  him,  and  then  come 
and  make  your  offering. 

"  If  you  have  an  adversary,  come  to  an 
agreement  with  him  quickly  while  you  are 
with  him.  If  you  delay  he  may  summon  you 
to  the  judge,  and  the  judge  deliver  you  to  an 
officer,  and  the  officer  take  you  to  prison.  I 
warn  you  that  you  will  not  be  released  until 
you  have  paid  the  last  penny. 

"  You  know  that  it  was  said  of  old, '  Thou 
shalt  not  commit  adultery?  But  I  say  to  you, 
that  if  any  one  looks  at  a  woman  lustfully,  he 
has  already  committed  adultery  in  his  heart. 

"If  your  right  eye  causes  you  to  stumble, 
pluck  it  out  and  throw  it  away,  for  it  will  be 


Choosing  the  Twelve  75 

better  for  you  to  lose  an  eye  and  enter  the 
Spiritual  Kealm  than  to  keep  an  eye  and  be 
cast  into  Gehenna. 

"  If  your  right  hand  causes  you  to  sin,  cut  it 
off  and  throw  it  away.  It  is  better  that  you 
lose  one  member  than  that  your  whole  body  be 
cast  into  Gehenna. 

"  It  was  said  also,  '  Whoever  putteth  away  his 
wife,  let  him  give  her  a  letter  of  divorcement,'' 
But  I  say  to  you,  if  any  one  divorces  his  wife, 
he  makes  her  an  adulteress  and  whoever  marries 
her  after  she  has  been  divorced  commits  adultery. 

"  You  have  heard  it  said  of  old,  '  Thou  shalt 
not  swear  falsely?  and  '  Thou  shalt  fulfitt  thy 
vow  to  the  Lord*  But  I  say  to  you,  do  not 
make  a  vow  at  all.  Neither  by  the  Spiritual 
Kealm  for  it  is  the  throne  of  the  Father  of 
Love  ;  nor  by  the  earth  for  it  is  his  footstool ; 
nor  by  Jerusalem  for  it  is  the  city  of  the  great 
king.  Do  not  vow  by  your  head  because  you 
cannot  make  one  hair  white  or  black.  Let 
your  speech  be  yes,  or  no.  "What  is  more  than 
this  is  prompted  of  evil. 

"  You  have  heard  what  was  said  of  old,  '  An 
eye  for  an  eye,  a  tooth  for  a  tooth?  But  I  say 
to  you,  do  not  resist  evil.  If  one  strikes  you 
on  the  right  cheek,  turn  to  him  the  other.  If 
a  man  sues  you  in  the  courts  and  takes  your 
coat,  let  him  have  your  shirt  also.  If  he  com- 
pels you  to  go  a  mile,  go  with  him  two.  If  a 


76  The  Good  News 

man  asks  a  favor  of  you,  grant  it,  or  if  he 
wants  to  borrow  something,  let  him  have  it. 
If  one  even  steals  your  things,  or  takes  them 
by  force,  do  not  ask  to  have  them  returned. 

"  If  you  lend  only  to  them  from  whom  you 
hope  to  receive,  what  credit  is  it  to  you  ?  Even 
sinners  lend  to  sinners,  hoping  to  receive  as 
much  in  return.  No,  do  unto  others  as  you 
would  like  to  have  them  do  to  you. 

"  You  have  heard  it  said  of  old,  '  Thou  shalt 
love  thy  neighbor  and  hate  thy  enemy?  But  I 
say  to  you,  love  your  enemies  and  pray  for 
them  that  persecute  you.  Do  good  to  them, 
lend  to  them,  despairing  of  no  man.  By  so 
doing  you  will  show  yourselves  to  be  sons  of 
your  Father,  who  is  in  the  Spiritual  Kealm ;  for 
he  makes  the  sun  to  rise  on  both  the  evil  and 
the  good  ;  he  sends  the  rain  on  the  just  and  the 
unjust  alike.  The  Most  High  is  kind  even  to 
the  unthankful  and  the  wicked. 

"  IF  you  only  love  them  that  love  you,  how 
are  you  better  than  the  publicans  ?  If  you 
only  greet  your  friends,  how  are  you  any  better 
than  others  ?  Why,  even  the  heathen  do  that. 
Your  Father  in  the  Spiritual  Realm  is  perfect. 
You  must  try  to  be  perfect  also. 

"  Be  careful  not  to  be  ostentatious  in  your 
good  deeds.  If  you  make  a  display  of  them, 
you  forfeit  any  reward  from  your  Father  in 


Choosing  the  Twelve  77 

the  Spiritual  Realm.  If  you  give  charitable 
gifts,  do  not  advertise  them,  as  the  hypocrites 
do,  in  the  cathedrals  and  on  the  streets,  that 
they  may  have  praise  of  men.  They  have  had 
their  reward,  the  honor  of  men  ;  but,  mark  my 
word,  it  is  all  the  reward  they  will  ever  get. 

"  When  you  give  in  charity  do  not  let  even 
your  right  hand  know  what  your  left  hand  is 
doing.  Let  your  charity  be  in  secret  and  your 
Father,  who  knows  about  everything  that  is 
done  in  secret,  will  reward  you  openly. 

"  When  you  pray,  do  not  be  as  the  hypocrites, 
for  they  delight  to  pose  in  public  places,  in  the 
synagogue  and  even  on  the  street  corners,  so 
that  they  may  be  seen.  They  have  had  their 
reward  and  it  is  all  they  will  get. 

"  But  you,  my  disciples,  when  you  pray,  go 
where  you  will  be  quite  alone,  and  having  shut 
the  door,  pray  to  the  Father,  who  is  himself 
unseen,  and  he  will  hear  and  answer.  In  pray- 
ing, do  not  use  vain  repetitions,  as  the  heathen 
do,  who  think  they  will  be  heard  for  their 
much  speaking.  Do  not  copy  them.  In  pray- 
ing to  your  Father,  remember  that  he  knows  of 
what  you  have  need  before  you  ask  him." 

ONE  of  the  disciples  said,  "  Master,  teach  us 
to  pray,  as  John  taught  his  disciples."  Jesus 

Lake  xi.  1-4. 


78  The  Good  News 

said:  "Pray  like  this,  'Our  Father,  who  art 
in  the  Spiritual  Kealm,  hallowed  be  thy  name. 
Thy  Kingdom  come,  thy  will  be  done  on  earth 
as  it  is  done  in  heaven.  Give  us  for  daily  bread 
thy  Word  of  Love  that  comes  from  the  Spir- 
itual Realm ;  and  forgive  us  our  sins  as  we  for- 
give them  that  sin  against  us.  Lead  us  not 
into  temptation,  but  deliver  us  from  evil.'  * 

"  If  you  forgive  men  their  trespasses,  your 
Father  in  the  Spiritual  Realm  will  forgive  you. 
But  if  you  are  unwilling  to  forgive  others, 
neither  will  your  Father  forgive  you. 

"Moreover, when  you  fast  do  not  be  like  the 
hypocrites  with  a  sad  countenance,  for  they 
even  disfigure  their  faces  so  that  other  men 
will  notice  that  they  are  fasting.  They  re- 
ceive their  reward,  such  as  it  is.  When  you 
fast,  wash  your  face  and  anoint  your  hair,  so 
that  men  will  not  notice  that  you  are  fasting, 
but  your  Father,  who  knows  every  secret  thing, 
will  notice  it  and  will  recompense  you. 

"  Do  not  lay  up  treasure  upon  earth,  where 
moths  consume,  and  rust  corrodes,  and  where 
thieves  break  in  and  steal.  But  lay  up  your 
treasure  in  the  Spiritual  Realm,  where  there  is 
neither  moth,  nor  rust,  and  where  thieves  never 
enter ;  for  where  your  treasure  is,  there  your 
heart  will  be  also. 


*  Old  Latin  MS. 


Choosing  the  Twelve  79 

"  The  lamp  of  the  body  is  the  eye ;  if  there- 
fore your  eyes  are  clear,  your  body  will  be  full 
of  light.  But  if  your  eyes  are  blinded,  your 
whole  body  will  be  full  of  darkness.  If  there- 
fore the  inner  light  that  the  Father  of  Love 
has  given  to  enlighten  you  be  obscured,  how 
great  is  the  darkness  within  you. 

"  NO  servant  can  serve  two  masters  at  the 
same  time.  Either  he  will  hate  one  and  love 
the  other,  or  he  will  stick  to  one  and  avoid 
the  other.  Neither  can  you  be  loyal  to  the 
Father  of  Love  and  be  a  slave  to  the  riches  of 
this  world,  at  the  same  time.  You  must  choose 
one  or  the  other. 

"  If  you  choose  to  be  loyal  to  the  Father  of 
Love,  you  need  have  no  anxiety  for  your  life, 
as  to  what  you  will  eat  or  drink,  or  for  your 
body,  as  to  how  it  will  be  clothed.  Your 
Father  in  the  Spiritual  Kealm  knows  that 
these  things  are  needful,  and  by  being  anxious 
you  cannot  add  a  single  day  to  your  life. 

"  If  you  are  not  able  to  do  that  which  is  least, 
why  be  anxious  concerning  the  rest  ?  Is  not 
life  more  than  food,  and  the  body  than  rai- 
ment ?  Look  at  the  birds  of  the  air,  they  do 
not  sow,  or  reap,  or  gather  into  barns;  but 
your  Father  feeds  them.  Are  not  you  of  much 
greater  value  than  they  ? 

Luke  zi.  34-36. 


8o  The  Good  News 

"And  why  should  you  be  anxious  about 
clothing  ?  Consider  the  lilies  of  the  field,  see 
how  beautiful  they  are.  They  do  not  toil, 
neither  do  they  spin,  and  yet  Solomon  in  all 
his  glory  was  not  arrayed  like  one  of  these. 

"  If  the  Father  of  Love  clothes  the  grass  of 
the  field,  which  is  only  for  a  day  and  then 
withers  away,  will  he  not  much  more  clothe 
you  ?  Oh  men !  How  little  you  trust  him. 

"  No,  do  not  be  anxious  about  what  you  will 
eat,  or  drink,  or  how  you  will  be  clothed. 
These  are  the  things  that  worldly  people  give 
all  their  thought  and  time  a-seeking.  But  as 
for  you,  my  disciples,  seek  first  the  Spiritual 
Realm  and  its  Law  of  Love,  and  all  these  nec- 
essary things  will  be  forthcoming.  I  repeat 
it,  do  not  be  anxious  for  the  morrow,  for  the 
morrow  will  take  care  of  itself.  To-day's 
troubles  are  quite  enough  for  to-day. 

"  DO  not  be  censorious  and  then  others  will 
not  criticize  you.  For  the  standard  you  de- 
mand of  others  will  be  the  one  they  will  use 
to  judge  you.  Do  not  condemn  another  and 
then  you  will  not  be  condemned.  If  some  one  is 
in  your  power,  let  him  go  freely,  and  then,  when 
you  are  in  a  tight  place,  you  will  be  released. 

"  It  is  more  blessed  to  give  than  to  receive. 

Acts  zx.  35. 


Choosing  the  Twelve  81 

If  you  are  generous,  others  will  be  generous 
to  you.  They  will  return  you  good  measure, 
pressed  down,  shaken  together,  and  running 
over,  and  they  will  fairly  force  it  into  your  lap. 

"  But  do  not  offer  that  which  is  sacred  to 
dogs,  or  throw  your  precious  pearls  before 
swine,  for  they  will  only  trample  them  under 
foot  and  then  turn  and  attack  you. 

"  Therefore  whatever  you  would  that  men 
should  do  to  you,  even  so  do  to  them,  for  this 
is  the  teaching  of  the  Law  and  the  Prophets. 

"Why  do  you  notice  the  speck  in  your 
brother's  eye  and  ignore  a  larger  one  in  your 
own  ?  Why  are  you  so  eager  to  help  your 
brother  get  rid  of  his  defect,  while  you  have 
a  larger  one  yourself?  You  are  a  hypocrite 
if  you  do  that.  First  get  rid  of  the  serious 
something  in  your  own  vision,  and  then  you 
can  see  clearly  enough  to  help  your  brother. 

"  Can  the  blind  guide  the  blind  ?  Will  they 
not  both  fall  into  the  ditch  ?  The  student  is 
not  wiser  than  his  teacher,  but  he  may  hope 
some  time  to  be  like  him. 

"  SUPPOSING  that  one  of  you  has  a  friend 
and  you  go  to  him  at  midnight  and  say,  'A 
friend  of  mine  on  a  journey  has  come  to  me, 
and  I  have  no  food  to  offer  him.  Will  you 

Luke  xi.  5-8. 


82  The  Good  News 

loan  me  three  loaves  of  bread?'  The  one 
within  will  naturally  answer,  '  Do  not  trouble 
me  now.  The  children  and  family  are  all  in 
bed  and  the  door  is  locked.  I  cannot  get  up 
and  get  them  for  you.'  But  you  persist  in  ask- 
ing for  the  bread,  and  finally  he  gets  up  and 
gets  it  for  you.  He  would  not  do  it  just  be- 
cause you  are  his  friend ;  but  because  of  your 
importunity,  he  gets  up  and  gives  you  all  that 
you  want. 

"  Ask  and  it  will  be  given  you ;  seek  and  you 
will  find ;  knock  and  it  will  be  opened  to  you. 
For  every  one  that  asks  receives,  and  he  that 
seeks  finds,  and  to  him  that  knocks  it  will  be 
opened. 

"What  man  is  there  of  you  who  hearing 
his  son  ask  for  bread,  gives  him  a  stone? 
Or  if  he  ask  for  an  egg,  will  give  him  a  scor- 
pion ?  If  then  you  who  are  finite  know  how 
to  give  good  gifts  to  your  children,  how  much 
more  will  your  Father,  who  is  Sovereign  of  an 
infinite  Realm,  give  good  gifts  to  them  that  ask 
him.  And  the  highest  desire  that  a  human 
being  can  cherish  is  that  which  the  Father  is 
most  willing  to  give,  even  Love  Vitality. 

"  The  gate  is  wide  and  the  way  is  broad  that 
leads  to  ruin,  and  there  are  many  that  enter  it. 
But  the  gate  is  narrow  and  the  way  is  con- 
tracted that  leads  to  Life,  and  those  that  find  it 
are  few.  But  you,  my  disciples,  must  try  very 


Choosing  the  Twelve  83 

earnestly  to  find  and  enter  the  narrow  gate 
that  leads  to  the  higher  Life. 

"  Be  constantly  on  your  guard  against  false 
teachers,  who  often  come  disguised  as  sheep, 
but  inwardly  are  ravenous  wolves.  You  can 
tell  them  by  their  fruit.  Men  do  not  gather 
grapes  from  thorn  bushes,  or  figs  from  thistles. 
A  good  tree  will  bear  good  fruit,  a  poisonous 
tree  will  bear  poisonous  fruit.  The  opposite  is 
never  true.  That  is  why  men  chop  down  and 
destroy  poor  trees,  and  they  can  always  detect 
them  by  their  fruit.  A  good  man,  out  of  the 
store  of  good  things  in  his  heart,  will  bring 
forth  that  which  is  good.  An  evil  man  has  a 
store  of  evil  things  in  his  heart  and  can  only 
bring  forth  evil  things.  It  is  out  of  the  abun- 
dance of  the  subconscious  desires  that  the 
mouth  speaks.  A  man  can  never  afford  to 
speak  carelessly,  for  it  is  these  heedless  words 
that  most  clearly  reveal  a  man's  unconscious, 
and  therefore  habitual,  thinking ;  and  it  is  for 
these  that  he  will  be  called  to  account  in  the 
day  of  judgment.  For  by  his  words  he  will 
be  justified  and  by  his  words  he  will  be  con- 
demned. 

"NOT  every  one  that  says  to  me,  'Lord, 
Lord,'  will  enter  the  Spiritual  Realm.  It  is 

Matthew  xii.  33-37. 


84  The  Good  News 

only  those  that  do  the  will  of  my  Father  who 
is  Sovereign  of  the  Spiritual  Realm,  that  will 
succeed  in  entering. 

"  Many  will  say  to  me  in  that  day,  '  Lord, 
Lord,  did  we  not  teach  in  your  name  ?  and  by 
your  name  cast  out  demons,  and  do  many  won- 
derful works  ? '  Then  shall  I  be  obliged  to  tell 
them  plainly,  *  I  never  knew  you.  You  have 
been  workers  of  wickedness ;  you  must  go 
away.' 

"  The  one  who  listens  to  these  teachings  of 
mine  and  conforms  his  life  to  them  is  like  a 
wise  man  who  builds  his  house  on  a  rock  foun- 
dation. The  rains  descend,  the  floods  come, 
and  the  winds  blow  and  beat  against  the 
house ;  but  it  will  not  fall,  for  it  is  founded  on 
a  rock. 

"  On  the  contrary,  the  one  who  hears  these 
teachings  and  does  not  do  them  is  like  a  fool- 
ish man  who  builds  his  house  on  the  sand  with 
no  foundation.  The  rains  descend,  the  floods 
come,  and  the  winds  beat  against  that  house 
and,  of  course,  it  falls  and  the  ruin  is  com- 
plete." 

LATER  on  Jesus  came  down  from  the  moun- 
tains and  returned  to  Capernaum.  A  Roman 
soldier  had  heard  about  Jesus  and  had  sent  to 


Matthew  viii.  5-13  ;  Luke  vii.  1-10. 


Choosing  the  Twelve  85 

the  elders  of  the  Jews,  asking  them  to  intercede 
with  Jesus  for  a  favorite  servant  that  was  para- 
lyzed and  at  the  point  of  death.  The  elders 
came  to  Jesus  and  urged  him  to  help.  They  said 
that  the  Centurion  was  very  friendly  to  the  Jews 
and  had  built  them  a  synagogue.  Jesus  was 
willing  to  go  and  they  had  almost  reached  the 
house  when  the  Centurion  came  to  meet  him 
and  said,  "  Lord,  do  not  trouble  to  come  further, 
for  I  am  not  worthy  that  you  should  enter  my 
house.  I  did  not  even  think  myself  worthy  of 
coming  into  your  presence.  You  have  but  to 
say  the  word  and  my  servant  will  be  healed. 
For  I,  like  you,  am  a  man  of  authority,  having 
under  me  soldiers.  I  say  to  that  one,  Go,  and 
he  obeys.  I  say  to  this  one,  Come,  and  he 
comes,  and  to  this  servant,  Do  this,  and  it  is 
done." 

When  Jesus  heard  this  it  set  him  thinking. 
He  turned  to  the  multitude  that  had  followed 
them  and  said :  "  I  have  never  before  seen  such 
perfect  faith  as  this,  no  not  in  all  Israel.  There 
are  many  that  shall  come  from  the  East  and 
the  West  and  shall  sit  down  with  Abraham, 
Isaac,  and  Jacob  in  the  Spiritual  Kealm,  while 
those  that  should  have  been  the  natural  sons  of 
the  Kingdom  shall  be  left  out  in  utter  dark- 
ness." 

Jesus  turned  to  the  Centurion  and  said,  "  You 
may  return  now ;  because  you  have  faith  your 


86  The  Good  News 

prayer  is  granted."    When  the  Centurion  re- 
turned to  the  house  he  found  his  servant  well. 


NOT  long  after  this  he  went  to  a  town  called 
Nain.  His  disciples  were  with  him  and  a  mul- 
titude were  following.  As  they  drew  near  to 
the  gate  of  the  town  they  met  a  crowd  follow- 
ing the  funeral  procession  of  an  only  son  of  a 
widowed  mother. 

When  Jesus  saw  her  his  heart  was  filled  with 
pity  and  he  said  to  her,  "Do  not  weep  any 
more."  He  went  to  the  coffin  and  placing  his 
hand  on  it,  while  the  bearers  stood  still,  he 
said,  "  My  boy,  I  am  speaking  to  you.  Kise 
up."  At  once  he  that  was  dead  sat  up  and  be- 
gan to  speak,  and  Jesus  led  him  to  his  mother. 

Every  one  was  dumbfounded  for  a  moment 
and  then  all  began  to  praise  God.  Some  said, 
"  A  great  prophet  is  among  us."  Others  said, 
"  God  is  visiting  his  people."  The  report  that 
Jesus  had  actually  raised  the  dead  to  life 
spread  through  all  Judea. 

MEANWHILE  John  the  Baptist  had  in- 
curred the  anger  of  Herod,  the  king,  by  de- 
nouncing the  marriage  of  the  king  to  his 
brother  Philip's  wife,  which  was  contrary  to 


Luke  vii.  11-17. 

Matthew  xi.  2-27;  Luke  vii.  18-35;  x.  12-15,  21-24. 


Choosing  the  Twelve  87 

lavr.  Herod  would  have  put  John  to  death  at 
once  if  he  had  not  feared  the  people,  for  they 
believed  John  to  be  a  prophet.  Instead,  he 
had  him  bound  and  shut  up  in  prison. 

While  John  was  in  prison  the  reports  of  the 
wonderful  things  that  Jesus  was  doing  came  to 
him,  but  in  spite  of  them,  doubts  crept  into  his 
mind.  If  Jesus,  his  own  relative  and  the  one 
he  had  baptized,  was  really  the  Messiah,  would 
he  leave  him  to  suffer  in  prison  ?  John  called 
two  of  his  disciples  and  sent  them  to  Jesus. 
When  the  men  were  come  to  him  they  said, 
"  John  the  Baptist  has  sent  us  to  you  to  ask  if 
you  are  really  the  Messiah,  or  are  we  to  look 
for  another  ?  " 

Jesus  did  not  reply  to  their  question  at  once, 
but  asked  them  to  stay  by  him  for  a  little  and 
while  they  were  with  him  he  cured  many  people 
of  diseases,  plague,  and  evil  spirits,  and  to  those 
who  were  blind  he  gave  sight. 

Then  Jesus  said  to  John's  disciples,  "  Now 
return  to  John  and  tell  him  about  the  things 
that  you  have  seen  and  heard.  Tell  him  that 
you  saw  the  blind  receive  their  sight,  the  lame 
walk,  lepers  cleansed,  the  deaf  hear,  and  even 
the  dead  brought  to  life.  Tell  him  that  all  the 
time  the  Good  News  was  being  proclaimed  to 
the  poor,  and  tell  him  this,  also,  '  Blessed  is  the 
man  who  finds  no  occasion  for  stumbling  in 
me.' " 


88  The  Good  News 

After  the  messengers  of  John  were  gone, 
Jesus  spoke  to  the  multitude  about  him,  saying, 
"  What  did  you  go  into  the  wilderness  to  see  ? 
A  reed  shaken  in  the  wind  ?  Did  you  expect 
to  see  a  man  clothed  in  fine  garments  ?  Not 
at  all.  Those  that  are  richly  dressed  and  fare 
luxuriously  live  in  king's  palaces,  not  in  the 
wilderness.  But  what  did  you  go  out  to  see  ? 
A  prophet  ?  I  tell  you,  yes,  and  more  than  a 
prophet,  for  he  was  the  one  of  whom  it  was 
written : 

"  l  Behold,  I  send  my  messenger  before  my  face. 
He  shall  prepare  the  way  before  me.' 

"  Indeed,  in  all  the  realm  of  nature,  there 
has  been  born  of  woman  none  greater  than 
John ;  and  yet  he  that  is  little  in  the  Spiritual 
Kealm  is  greater  than  John.  You  remember 
John's  message,  'Repent,  for  the  Spiritual 
Realm  is  at  hand.'  Why  do  you  refuse  to  un- 
derstand the  meaning  of  his  message  ?  From 
the  beginning  of  John's  preaching  unto  now, 
the  nature  of  the  Spiritual  Realm  is  misinter- 
preted and  distorted.  Men  even  vehemently 
deny  it.  But  all  the  Law  and  the  Prophets, 
even  down  to  the  time  of  John,  have  foretold 
it.  If  you  were  not  prejudiced  against  John, 
you  would  listen  to  his  message,  for  he  is  the 
Elijah  that  was  to  come.  If  you  have  ears  to 
hear,  use  them  now." 


Choosing  the  Twelve  89 

When  the  crowd  heard  this  there  was  a  di- 
vision of  sentiment.  Most  of  the  people  and 
even  the  publicans  having  been  baptized  by 
John  agreed  to  it,  but  others,  the  Pharisees 
and  the  scribes,  who  had  resisted  the  leadings 
of  God  and  had  not  been  baptized,  dissented. 

Then  Jesus  continued,  "  To  what  shall  I  liken 
the  men  of  this  generation  ?  They  are  like 
children  sitting  in  the  market-place  and  calling 
to  one  another,  '  It's  not  fair.  We  have  made 
music  for  you  and  you  would  not  dance.  We 
played  that  we  were  hurt  and  you  did  not 
weep.'  John  the  Baptist  did  not  eat  bread  or 
drink  wine  and  you  said,  '  He  was  a  demon.' 
The  Son  of  man  comes  eating  and  drinking, 
and  you  say,  *  Look,  here  is  a  gluttonous  man 
and  a  wine-bibber,  a  friend  of  tax  collectors  and 
sinners.'  Nevertheless  wisdom  will  be  justified 
by  her  children." 

THEN  he  began  to  accuse  the  towns  in 
which  many  of  his  greatest  works  had  been 
done,  because  they  did  not  repent. 

"  Woe  to  you,  Chorazin  !  Woe  to  you,  Beth- 
saida !  If  the  mighty  works  which  have  been 
done  in  you  had  been  done  in  Tyre  and  Sidon, 
they  long  ago  would  have  repented  in  sackcloth 
and  ashes.  Listen.  It  shall  be  more  bearable 
for  Tyre  and  Sidon  in  the  day  of  judgment 
than  for  you. 


90  The  Good  News 

"  And  you,  Capernaum  !  Do  you  think  that 
you  will  be  exalted  to  the  sky  ?  You  shall  be 
brought  down  to  hades.  If  the  mighty  works 
that  have  been  done  in  you  had  been  done  in 
Sodom,  it  would  have  remained  to  this  day.  I 
say  to  you  that  in  the  day  of  judgment  it  will 
be  more  bearable  for  Sodom  than  for  you." 

Jesus  prayed,  "  I  thank  thee,  Oh  Father, 
Lord  of  the  Spiritual  Kealm  and  of  the  natural 
order,  that  thou  didst  hide  these  things  from 
the  wise  and  learned  and  didst  reveal  them 
unto  children.  Yes,  Father,  I  thank  thee  that 
this  has  been  according  to  thy  good  pleasure." 

Then  Jesus  continued  speaking  to  the  people, 
"  All  things  have  been  delivered  to  me  by  my 
Father.  No  one  comprehends  who  the  Son  is 
except  the  Father.  And  no  one  fully  under- 
stands the  Father,  but  the  Son  and  those  to 
whom  the  Son  is  pleased  to  reveal  him." 

JESUS  having  accepted  an  invitation  to  dine 
from  one  of  the  Pharisees  went  to  his  house 
and  reclined  at  the  table  with  him.  It  hap- 
pened that  there  was  in  this  town  a  woman 
that  was  living  a  sinful  life.  Having  heard 
that  Jesus  was  dining  at  the  house  of  the 
Pharisee,  she  bought  an  alabaster  box  of  per- 
fumed ointment.  She  entered  the  house  and, 


Luke  vii.  36-50. 


Choosing  the  Twelve  91 

kneeling  at  Jesus'  feet  as  he  reclined  at  the 
table,  she  began  to  weep  and  her  tears  wet  his 
feet.  She  dried  them  with  her  hair,  and  kissed 
them,  and  anointed  them  with  the  sweet  smell- 
ing ointment. 

When  the  Pharisee,  who  had  invited  Jesus 
to  dinner,  saw  it  he  said  to  himself,  "  If  this 
man  were  really  a  prophet  he  would  know  who 
this  woman  is  and  the  kind  of  a  life  she  is 
living."  Jesus  said  to  him,  "  Simon,  I  have 
something  on  my  heart  to  say  to  you."  Simon 
answered,  "  Speak  freely,  Teacher." 

Then  Jesus  said,  "  There  was  a  money  lender, 
who  had  two  creditors.  The  one  owed  him  a 
hundred  dollars  and  the  other  ten  dollars. 
"When  he  became  convinced  that  they  could 
not  repay  the  loans,  he  forgave  them  both  their 
debts.  Which  of  them,  Simon,  do  you  think 
will  be  the  more  grateful?"  Simon  replied, 
"  I  suppose  it  will  be  the  one  for  whom  he  for- 
gave the  larger  amount." 

Jesus  said,  "  You  are  quite  right."  Turning 
to  the  woman,  but  still  speaking  to  Simon,  he 
continued,  "  Do  you  see  this  woman  ?  When  I 
entered  your  house  you  did  not  offer  me  the 
customary  water  to  bathe  my  feet,  but  she  has 
moistened  my  feet  with  her  tears  and  dried 
them  with  her  hair.  You  gave  me  no  kiss  of 
welcome,  but  she  has  not  ceased  to  kiss  my  feet. 
You  did  not  anoint  my  head  with  oil,  as  you 


92  The  Good  News 

would  have  done  if  I  had  been  an  honored 
guest,  but  she  anointed  my  feet  with  costly 
ointment.  She  loved  much  ;  therefore  her  sins, 
which  are  many,  are  forgiven." 

They  that  sat  at  dinner  said  within  them- 
selves, "  Who  is  this  that  even  presumes  to  for- 
give sins?"  Then  speaking  to  the  woman, 
Jesus  said  :  "  Your  sins  are  forgiven  for  your 
faith  has  saved  you.  Go  in  peace." 

AS  Jesus  continued  to  go  about  through  the 
towns  and  the  villages  proclaiming  the  Good 
News  of  the  Spiritual  Realm,  the  multitude 
pressed  upon  them  so  that  they  often  had 
trouble  even  to  eat.  At  one  time  when  the 
words  of  Jesus  had  been  especially  forceful  and 
had  angered  some,  his  friends  sought  to  restrain 
him,  saying  to  themselves,  "  He  is  certainly  be- 
side himself." 

The  twelve  disciples  went  about  with  him 
and  many  women  cared  for  them  and  supplied 
their  wants.  There  was  Mary  that  was  called 
the  Magdalene  from  whom  seven  demons  had 
gone  out,  and  Joanna  the  wife  of  Chuza  who 
was  steward  to  King  Herod,  and  Susanna,  and 
others. 

At  one  time  while  Jesus  was  in  a  house 
speaking  to  a  crowd  of  people,  his  mother  and 


Lnke  viii.  1-3;  Mark  iii.  20-21. 

Matthew  xii.  46-50 ;  Mark  iii.  31-36 ;  Luke  viii.  19-21. 


Choosing  the  Twelve  93 

brothers  stood  outside  seeking  an  opportunity 
to  speak  with  him.  They  told  Jesus  of  it  and 
he  said,  "  And  who  is  my  mother  and  who  are 
my  brothers  ?  "  Then  pointing  to  his  disciples 
he  said,  "  These  are  my  mother  and  my  brothers. 
For  whoever  will  listen  to,  and  do  the  will  of 
my  Father  in  the  Spiritual  Realm,  the  same  is 
my  brother  and  sister  and  mother." 

AT  another  time  Jesus  was  by  the  seaside 
and,  as  the  crowd  was  so  great  as  to  press  on 
him,  he  went  into  a  boat  and  the  people  stood 
on  the  beach  while  he  taught  them  many  things 
in  parables. 

"  A  farmer  went  out  to  sow  his  seed  and,  as 
he  scattered  it,  some  fell  by  the  roadside  and 
were  trodden  under  foot,  or  the  birds  picked 
them  up.  Some  fell  on  rocky  places,  where 
there  was  not  much  soil  or  moisture.  They 
quickly  sprouted,  but  because  their  roots  did 
not  sink  deep  enough,  the  sun  soon  scorched 
them  and  they  withered  away.  Other  seed  fell 
among  thorns  and  the  thorns  grew  and  choked 
them.  But  others  fell  in  good  ground,  growing 
and  increasing  and  yielding  fruit,  some  a  hun- 
dred fold,  some  sixty  fold  and  some  thirty  fold. 
He  that  has  ears  to  hear  let  him  profit  by  what 
he  has  heard." 


Matthew  xiii.  1-53;  Mark  iv.  1-34;  Luke  viii.  4-18. 


94  The  Good  News 

Later  in  the  day  when  he  was  alone  with  his 
disciples  and  a  few  friends,  they  asked  him  why 
he  taught  in  parables.  His  reply  was,  "  You  are 
ready  to  understand  and  appreciate  the  myster- 
ies of  the  Spiritual  Kealm,  but  many  are  not  yet 
ready.  Whoever  has  a  disposition  to  learn  is 
ready  for  a  further  revelation  and  it  will  come 
in  abundance ;  but  they  who  understand  little 
and  have  no  disposition  to  learn  are  easily  con 
fused  and  they  lose  the  little  they  have. 

"  That  is  why  I  speak  in  parables,  so  that  all 
may  see  and  hear.  Those  that  are  ready  will 
profit,  but  those  that  are  not  ready  will  see  but 
not  perceive,  will  hear  but  not  appreciate.  You 
are  to  be  congratulated  that  you  have  eyes  that 
see  and  ears  that  hear,  for  many  prophets  and 
good  men  of  old  have  earnestly  desired  to  see 
and  to  hear  the  things  that  you  are  now  seeing 
and  hearing,  but  were  disappointed." 

One  of  the  disciples  asked  him  to  explain  the 
parable  of  the  sower  to  them.  Jesus  said, "  Do 
you  not  understand  even  this  parable  ?  How 
will  you  understand  others  ?  Listen,  and  I  will 
explain  this  one. 

"  "When  one  hears  the  Good  News  of  the  Spir- 
itual Realm,  but  does  not  understand  and  value 
it,  then  the  wicked  one  comes  in  and  snatches 
away  the  seed-thought  that  has  been  sown  in 
his  hard  heart.  This  is  the  seed  that  falls  by 
the  wayside. 


Choosing  the  Twelve  95 

"  Some  hear  the  Good  News  with  joy,  but  it 
does  not  sink  very  deep  into  their  stony  hearts. 
It  endures  for  a  time,  but  when  persecution  and 
testing  come  because  of  it,  they  quickly  falter. 
This  is  the  seed  that  falls  on  rocky  places. 

u  Then  there  are  those  that  hear  the  Good 
News  and  welcome  it  after  a  fashion  ;  but  the 
natural  cares  of  life,  the  deceitfulness  of  riches, 
the  desire  for  other  things,  all  come  in  to  crowd 
it  out.  This  is  the  seed  that  falls  among 
thorns. 

"  But  the  seed  falls  in  good  ground  when  they 
that  hear  the  Good  News  appreciate  it  and  ac- 
cept it  in  good  and  humble  hearts,  and  who 
hold  it  firmly  and  patiently  until  it  brings  forth 
fruit  in  their  lives." 

THEN  Jesus  told  them  another  parable. 
"  The  Spiritual  Kealm  is  like  a  man  that  sowed 
good  seed  in  his  fields,  but  while  he  slept  his 
enemy  came  and  sowed  darnel  among  the  wheat 
and  then  disappeared.  When  the  wheat  was 
grown  the  darnel  appeared  also.  The  servants 
came  to  the  farmer  and  asked,  'Did  you  not 
sow  good  seed  ?  "Where  did  this  darnel  come 
from  ? '  He  answered,  '  It  must  have  been  an 
enemy  that  did  it.'  The  servants  asked  if  he 
wanted  them  to  pull  up  the  darnel,  but  the 
farmer  replied,  'No,  T  am  afraid  that  you  will 
pull  up  the  wlr.:t  ;i!s<> ;  let  bolh  grow  until  the 


96  The  Good  News 

harvest.  Then  you  must  first  separate  out  the 
darnel  and  burn  it  and  afterwards  gather  the 
wheat  into  the  granary.' 

"  The  Spiritual  Realm  is  like  a  grain  field. 
The  farmer  scatters  the  seed  on  the  earth  and 
then  goes  to  rest,  but  night  and  day  the  seed 
germinates  and  grows  without  his  help.  Nature 
brings  forth  the  growth, — first  the  blade,  then 
the  blossom  and  then  the  seed ;  but  when  the 
grain  is  ripe  then  the  farmer  uses  the  sickle,  be- 
cause the  harvest  is  ready. 

"  The  Spiritual  Realm  is  like  a  grain  of  mus- 
tard seed  which  a  man  planted  in  his  field.  It 
is,  as  you  know,  the  smallest  of  seeds,  but  when 
it  is  grown,  it  is  larger  than  a  shrub,  as  big  as  a 
tree,  and  the  birds  of  the  air  rest  in  its  shelter. 

"  The  Spiritual  Realm  is  like  a  little  cake  of 
yeast  which  a  woman  puts  in  a  great  mass  of 
dough  and  the  whole  is  leavened.  The  Spi  i- 
tual  Realm  is  like  a  treasure  hid  in  a  field. 
The  man  that  finds  it  goes  and  sells  all  that  he 
has  to  buy  the  field.  The  Spiritual  Realm 
is  like  a  merchant  seeking  beautiful  pearls. 
When  he  finds  a  perfect  gem,  he  sells  all  he  has 
to  buy  it. 

"  The  Spiritual  Realm  is  like  a  dragnet  that  is 
cast  into  the  sea.  When  it  is  filled  men  draw  it 
to  the  beach  and  save  the  good,  and  the  bad  are 


Luke  xiii.  38-21. 


Choosing  the  Twelve  97 

thrown  away.  So  shall  it  be  at  the  end  of  the 
age.  The  angels  will  separate  the  evil  from  the 
good.  There  will  be  weeping  and  vain  regrets, 
but  the  evil  will  be  utterly  destroyed." 

Jesus  continued  to  speak  in  parables  to  the 
multitudes  that  followed  him,  and  then  when 
he  was  alone  with  his  disciples  he  would  explain 
them.  The  one  about  the  good  seed  he  ex- 
plained as  follows :  "  The  one  who  sows  the 
good  seed  is  the  Son  of  Man.  The  field  is  the 
world.  The  good  seed  are  those  who  have  been 
vitalized  by  love  and  reborn  as  children  of  the 
Spiritual  Realm.  The  darnel  are  the  children 
of  evil  and  the  enemy  that  sowed  it  is  the  devil. 

"  The  harvest  is  the  end  of  the  age  and  the 
reapers  are  angels.  Just  as  the  darnel  is  sepa- 
rated out  and  burnt,  so  the  evil  will  be  des- 
troyed at  the  end  of  the  age.  The  Son  of  man 
shall  send  his  angels  and  they  shall  separate 
out  everything  that  causes  stumbling  and  those 
that  live  wickedly.  There  will  be  weeping  and 
vain  regrets,  but  they  will  be  utterly  destroyed. 
Then  will  the  righteous  shine  forth  in  the  Spir- 
itual Realm  as  the  sun.  He  that  has  ears  to 
hear  let  him  ponder  these  things." 

Jesus  asked  them  if  they  had  understood  all 
that  he  had  told  them  about  the  Spiritual 
Realm  and  they  answered  that  they  had.  Then 
he  said  to  them,  "  You  are  now  going  forth  to 
teach  others  about  this  Spiritual  Realm.  If 


98  The  Good  News 

you  are  wise  you  will  select  from  your  store  of 
wisdom  the  vital  things,  whether  they  be  new 
or  old." 

ONE  evening  he  proposed  to  his  disciples 
that  they  take  a  boat  and  go  over  to  the  other 
side.  So  they  launched  a  boat  and  setting  sail 
left  the  multitude.  Jesus  was  very  tired  and 
fell  asleep  on  a  cushion  in  the  stern  of  the  boat. 

They  had  not  gone  very  far  when  a  great 
storm  of  wind  arose  and  the  waves  beat  into  the 
boat  until  it  was  in  danger  of  sinking.  Then 
the  disciples  in  alarm  woke  Jesus  and  said, 
"  Master,  wake  up !  We  are  perishing."  Jesus 
awoke  and  said  to  them,  "  Oh,  you  of  little 
faith ! " 

Then  he  rebuked  the  winds  and  the  raging 
waves,  saying,  "Peace,  be  still!"  And  the 
wind  ceased  and  there  was  a  great  calm.  Turn- 
ing to  the  disciples  he  said,  "  Why  were  you 
afraid?  Have  you  still  no  faith?"  But  the 
men  were  thoroughly  frightened  and  wonder- 
ingly  said  to  one  another,  "  Who  is  he,  that 
even  the  wind  and  the  waves  obey  him  ?  " 

WHEN  they  had  crossed  over  they  were  in 
the  country  of  the  Gadarenes.  They  had  not 
gone  far  when  they  were  met  by  a  maniac. 


Matthew  viii.  23-27  ;  Mark  iv.  35-41  ;  Luke  viii.  22-25. 
Matthew  viii.  28-34;  Mark  v.  1-20;  Luke  viii.  26-39. 


Choosing  the  Twelve  99 

He  was  very  violent  and  no  one  was  strong 
enough  to  hold  him.  Even  fetters  seemed  use- 
less, for  he  had  often  been  bound  with  ropes  and 
chains,  but  had  as  often  broken  loose.  Men 
were  afraid  to  venture  on  the  roads  in  his  vi- 
cinity and  all  the  time,  night  and  day,  he  was 
wandering  about  naked  in  the  tombs  and  the 
mountains,  crying  out  and  cutting  himself  with 
stones. 

When  he  saw  Jesus  from  a  distance  he  ran 
and  worshipped  him.  Crouching  at  his  feet  he 
said,  "  "What  have  I  to  do  with  you,  Jesus,  Son 
of  the  Most  High  God.  Have  you  come  to  tor- 
ment me  before  my  time  ?  "  Jesus  said,  "  Come 
forth,  you  unclean  spirits."  "  In  God's  name 
do  not  torment  me,"  shrieked  the  mad  man. 
Jesus  quietly  asked  him  his  name  and  he  re- 
plied, "  My  name  is  Legion,  the  devils  in  me 
are  so  many." 

It  happened  at  just  the  time  the  demons  left 
the  maniac  that  there  was  a  large  herd  of  swine 
feeding  near  by.  Taking  a  sudden  fright  they 
rushed  down  the  mountainside  and  plunged 
into  the  sea.  The  men  who  were  watching  the 
swine  went  into  the  town  and  reported  that 
the  demons  from  this  maniac  had  entered  the 
swine  and  caused  them  to  rush  into  the  sea. 
The  townspeople  came  to  see  for  themselves  and 
found  the  man  who  had  been  a  raving  maniac 
sitting  by  Jesus,  clothed  and  in  his  right  mind. 


loo  The  Good  News 

Those  that  had  seen  what  had  happened  told 
all  about  it  to  those  that  had  just  come.  The 
Gadarenes  were  alarmed  and  all  asked  Jesus  to 
leave  their  region,  and  so  Jesus  and  his  disciples 
returned  to  their  boat.  Just  as  they  were  push- 
ing off  the  man  who  had  been  cured  urged 
Jesus  to  let  him  go  with  him ;  but  Jesus  was 
unwilling  and  told  him  to  return  to  his  own 
home  and  friends  and  show  them  what  great 
things  the  Father  of  Love  had  done,  and  how 
mercy  had  been  shown  towards  him.  So  the 
man  went  away  and  told  in  all  Decapolis  what 
great  things  Jesus  had  done  for  him. 

WHEN  Jesus  had  crossed  over  and  come  into 
his  own  country  again  a  great  multitude  wel- 
comed him,  for  they  had  been  waiting  for  his 
return. 

One  of  the  officers  of  the  synagogue  named 
Jairus  came  up  to  Jesus  and  prostrated  himself 
at  his  feet.  With  very  earnest  entreaties  he 
urged  Jesus  to  come  and  lay  his  hands  on  his 
little  daughter,  who  lay  at  the  point  of  death. 
Jesus  with  his  disciples  went  with  the  man,  and 
a  great  multitude  followed. 

While  they  were  moving  along  a  woman  who 
had  a  hemorrhage  came  up  behind  him  and 
touched  the  border  of  his  garment.  She  had 


Matthew  ix.  18-26;  Mark  v.  21-43;  Luke  viii.  40-56. 


Choosing  the  Twelve  101 

suffered  for  twelve  years,  had  consulted  many 
physicians,  and  spent  all  that  she  had,  but  with 
no  improvement.  Having  heard  the  things 
that  Jesus  had  done,  she  pushed  her  way  into 
the  crowd  about  Jesus,  saying  to  herself,  "  If  I 
can  only  touch  the  border  of  his  garment,  I  shall 
be  healed." 

Immediately  the  issue  of  blood  ceased  and 
she  knew  that  she  was  healed.  Jesus  was  con- 
scious that  some'  one  had  touched  him  and 
asked  who  it  was.  Peter  said,  "  Master,  you 
can  see  the  crowd.  It  is  impossible  to  tell  who 
touched  you."  Jesus  said,  "  Some  one  has 
touched  me  for  I  am  conscious  that  vitality  has 
gone  from  me." 

When  the  woman  saw  that  she  could  not  re- 
main unnoticed,  she  came  forward  trembling 
and,  falling  at  Jesus'  feet,  she  told  all  the  peo- 
ple for  what  cause  she  had  touched  him  and 
how  she  had  been  immediately  healed.  Jesus 
said  to  her,  "  Daughter,  it  is  your  faith  that 
has  made  you  whole.  You  may  go  now  in 
peace." 

While  he  was  speaking  a  messenger  from  the 
house  of  Jairus  met  them  and  reported  that  the 
little  girl  had  died  and  that  there  was  no  need 
of  troubling  the  Master  any  more.  Jesus  over- 
heard the  message  and  said  to  Jairus,  "  Have 
no  fear.  If  you  keep  your  faith,  she  will  live." 

When  they  reached  the  house  there  was  a 


1O2  The  Good  News 

great  tumult  of  flute  players  and  many  were 
weeping  and  wailing.  Jesus  said  to  them, 
"  Why  do  you  make  such  a  tumult  and  weep  ? 
The  child  is  not  dead,  she  is  only  sleeping." 
But  they  ridiculed  the  idea,  feeling  sure  that 
the  child  was  dead. 

Jesus  sent  them  all  out  and  permitted  no  one 
to  enter  but  the  father  and  mother  with  Peter, 
James,  and  John.  They  went  into  the  room 
where  the  child  lay  and  Jesus  took  the  little 
girl  by  the  hand  and  said,  "  Little  girl,  I  want 
you  to  get  up."  At  once  her  spirit  returned 
and  she  arose  and  walked  about  the  room  and 
Jesus  told  them  to  give  her  something  to  eat. 

Every  one  was  filled  with  amazement  beyond 
measure,  but,  in  spite  of  Jesus  commanding 
them  not  to  talk  about  it,  the  report  of  it  went 
everywhere. 

AS  Jesus  was  returning,  two  blind  men  fol- 
lowed him  crying  out,  "  Have  mercy  on  us, 
Oh  Son  of  David."  He  went  into  a  house  but 
still  the  blind  men  followed  him. 

Jesus  said  to  them,  "  Do  you  really  believe 
that  I  am  able  to  give  you  sight  ?  "  "  Yes, 
Lord,  yes,"  they  cried.  Then  he  touched  their 
eyes,  saying,  "  As  you  have  faith,  so  shall  it  be 
done  to  you."  At  once  their  eyes  were  opened. 


Matthew  ix.  27-32. 


Choosing  the  Twelve  103 

Jesus  charged  them  sternly  not  to  talk  with 
others  about  it,  but  they  went  forth  and  spread 
the  knowledge  of  it  everywhere. 

Returning  to  his  native  town  one  Sabbath, 
he  taught  in  the  synagogue  and  many,  hearing 
him,  were  astonished.  They  questioned  each 
other,  saying,  "  Where  does  this  man  get  his 
wisdom  and  the  power  to  do  these  mighty 
works  ?  What  does  it  all  mean  ?  Is  he  not 
the  son  of  the  carpenter,  is  not  his  mother 
Mary,  whom  we  all  know,  and  are  not  James 
and  Joses  and  Judas  his  brothers  ?  His  sisters, 
are  they  not  here  with  us  ?  " 

The  very  familiarity  of  his  surroundings 
caused  them  to  stumble  and  because  of  their 
unbelief  he  could  do  no  mighty  works  among 
them.  All  he  could  do  was  to  lay  his  hands  on 
a  few  sick  and  heal  them  ;  and  Jesus  wondered 
at  their  persistent  unbelief. 


AS  Jesus  went  about  the  country  and  saw 
the  multitudes  of  those  that  were  sick  and  un- 
happy and  distressed,  just  like  a  flock  of  sheep 
without  a  shepherd,  his  heart  was  filled  with 
pity. 

He  said  to  his  disciples,  "  The  harvest,  in- 


Matthew  xiii.  54-58;  Mark  vi.  1-6. 
Matthew  ix.  36-xi.  1 ;  Mark  vi.  7-13 ;  Luke  ix.  1-6 ; 
xii.  1-12. 


104  The  Good  News 

deed,  is  plenteous,  but  the  laborers  are  few. 
You  must  pray  the  Lord  of  the  harvest  to  send 
forth  his  reapers."  Then  taking  his  disciples 
apart,  he  gave  them  authority  over  demons,  to 
cast  them  out,  and  power  to  heal  all  manner  of 
sickness  and  infirmity. 

He  said  to  them  :  "  I  am  going  to  send  you 
forth  two  by  two.  Do  not  associate  with  for- 
eigners, or  go  into  the  towns  of  Samaria,  but 
go  rather  to  the  lost  sheep  of  Israel.  As  yon 
go  about,  preach,  saying,  '  The  Spiritual  Keabn 
is  close  at  hand.'  Heal  the  sick,  raise  the  dead, 
cleanse  the  lepers,  cast  out  demons.  As  you 
have  received  without  pay,  give  as  freely.  Do 
not  provide  a  store  of  gold,  or  silver,  or  copper 
in  your  purses.  Do  not  take  a  hand-bag  for 
your  journey,  do  not  take  extra  coats,  or  shoes, 
or  even  food,  for  the  laborer  is  worthy  of  his 
support. 

"  When  you  go  into  a  town  or  village,  inquire 
for  the  house  of  some  good  man  and  make  it 
your  home  until  you  leave  the  place.  When 
you  enter  the  home  give  it  your  benediction. 
If  it  is  a  worthy  home,  your  blessing  will  be 
appreciated.  If  it  is  not  a  worthy  home,  you 
will  be  conscious  that  your  presence  is  not  wel- 
come, and  you  must  go  elsewhere. 

"  If  any  one  refuses  to  receive  you,  or  to 
listen  to  your  message,  when  you  leave  the 
house  or  the  town,  do  not  denounce  them  or 


Choosing  the  Twelve  105 

get  angry.  It  will  be  more  bearable  for  Sodom 
and  Gomorrah  than  for  that  place. 

"  Listen  !  I  am  sending  you  forth  as  sheep 
in  the  midst  of  wolves.  You  must  therefore 
be  wise  and  sagacious,  but  harmless  as  doves. 
Beware  of  men,  especially,  for  they  will  de- 
liver you  to  the  Sanhedrin  and  scourge  you  in 
the  synagogues.  Yes,  you  will  be  brought  be- 
fore officials  and  even  kings,  for  my  sake,  to 
bear  witness  before  them  and  to  the  nations. 

"  At  such  times  do  not  be  anxious  as  to  what 
or  how  you  shall  speak.  Remember  it  is  not 
you  that  speaks,  but  the  Love  Vitality  of  your 
Father  that  is  speaking  through  you.  Do  not 
be  fearful ;  it  will  be  given  you  in  that  hour 
what  you  shall  speak.  What  I  tell  you  in 
secret,  you  must  speak  in  public,  and  what  you 
hear  in  the  ear,  proclaim  from  the  housetops. 
There  is  nothing  covered  that  shall  not  be  re- 
vealed, or  secret  that  shall  not  be  known. 

"  A  scholar  cannot  be  more  privileged  than 
his  teacher,  or  a  servant  than  his  master.  If 
they  have  called  the  head  of  the  house  Beelze- 
bub, much  more  quickly  will  they  call  those 
of  his  household.  But  do  not  be  afraid.  They 
can  kill  the  body,  but  they  cannot  kill  the 
soul.  Rather  be  in  awe  of  him  who  can  des- 
troy both  soul  and  body. 

"  Are  not  two  sparrows  sold  for  a  penny  ? 
And  yet  not  one  of  them  can  fall  to  the  earth 


106  The  Good  News 

without  the  knowledge  of  your  Father.  "Why, 
the  very  hairs  of  your  head  are  numbered.  Do 
not  be  afraid  therefore,  for  you  are  of  more 
value  than  many  sparrows.  Every  one  that 
shall  confess  me  before  men,  him  will  I  con- 
fess before  my  Father  who  is  in  the  Spiritual 
Realm.  But  he  who  denies  me  before  men, 
him  will  I  also  deny  before  my  Father. 

"  Do  not  think  that  I  have  come  to  send 
peace  on  the  earth.  I  came  not  to  send  peace 
but  a  sword.  I  came  to  set  a  man  against  his 
father,  and  a  daughter  against  her  mother,  and 
a  daughter-in-law  against  her  mother-in-law. 
A  man's  foes  shall  be  they  of  his  own  family. 
He  that  loves  father  and  mother  more  than  me 
is  not  worthy  of  me  ;  and  he  that  loves  son  or 
daughter  more  than  me  is  not  worthy  of  me. 

"  He  that  is  unwilling  to  take  up  his  burden 
and  follow  me  is  not  worthy  of  me.  He  that 
cherishes  his  life  will  lose  it ;  but  he  that  forgets 
his  life  for  my  sake  shall  find  it.  He  that  re- 
ceives you  receives  me;  and  he  that  receives 
me  receives  Him  that  sent  me. 

"  He  that  receives  a  prophet,  because  he  is  a 
prophet,  shall  receive  the  reward  of  a  prophet. 
He  that  receives  a  good  man  because  he  is  a 
good  man  shall  receive  the  reward  of  a  good 
man.  Whoever,  because  he  is  a  disciple,  gives 
even  a  drink  of  cold  water  to  a  little  child,  he, 
most  certainly,  will  receive  his  reward." 


Choosing  the  Twelve  107 

When  Jesus  had  finished  speaking  they  went 
out  by  twos  into  all  the  villages,  telling  the 
Good  News,  casting  out  demons,  anointing 
with  oil  and  healing  the  sick. 

MEANWHILE,  Herod  had  kept  John  the 
Baptist  in  prison,  but  sent  for  him  from  time 
to  time,  to  listen  to  his  words.  John's  words 
made  him  very  thoughtful  and  perplexed,  but 
the  king  heard  him  gladly  and  became  con- 
vinced that  John  was  a  righteous  and  a  devout 
man,  and  consequently  the  king  feared  him. 

Herod  gave  a  feast  on  his  birthday  to  which 
he  invited  all  his  lords  and  high  military 
officers  and  the  chief  men  of  Galilee.  The 
daughter  of  Herodias  came  and  danced  before 
them  and  so  pleased  the  king  and  them  that 
sat  at  the  feast  with  him  that  he  said  to  her, 
"  You  may  ask  of  me  what  you  will  unto  half 
my  kingdom  and  I  will  give  it  to  you."  She 
went  out  and  consulted  her  mother.  Herodias 
still  cherished  her  anger  against  John,  because 
of  his  rebuke  to  the  king  on  her  account. 

She  said,  "  Ask  the  king  for  the  head  of 
John  the  Baptist."  Quickly  the  daughter  re- 
turned to  the  presence  of  the  king  and  said, 
"  Sir,  I  choose  that  you  bring  to  me  at  once 
the  head  of  John  the  Baptist." 


Matthew  xiv.  1-12  ;  Mark  vi.  14-29 ;  Luke  ix.  7-9. 


lo8  The  Good  News 

The  king  was  bitterly  sorry,  but  for  his 
oath's  sake  and  out  of  respect  for  those  that  sat 
at  the  feast  with  him,  he  could  not  refuse  her. 
He  sent  a  soldier  of  his  guard  with  orders  to 
bring  the  head.  When  it  was  done,  it  was 
given  to  the  maiden  and  she  gave  it  to  her 
mother. 

When  his  disciples  heard  of  it  they  took 
away  the  dead  body  and  laid  it  in  a  tomb  and 
then  they  went  and  told  Jesus. 

THE  twelve  began  to  return  and  to  tell 
Jesus  all  the  things  they  had  taught  and  done. 
There  were  many  coming  and  going  and  they 
hardly  had  time  to  eat,  so  Jesus  said  to  them, 
"  Come  away  with  me  to  the  desert  where  we 
can  be  alone  and  you  can  rest."  So  they  with- 
drew in  a  boat  to  the  other  side  of  the  sea  to  a 
desert  place. 

When  the  multitude  learned  of  their  where- 
abouts they  followed  on  foot  out  of  all  the 
towns.  When  Jesus  saw  them  coming,  he  had 
pity  for  them,  because  they  seemed  so  friend- 
less, like  sheep  without  a  shepherd,  and  there 
were  many  sick  among  them.  He  welcomed 
them  all  and  talked  with  them  about  the  Spir- 
itual Kealm,  and  such  as  were  sick  he  healed. 


Matthew  xiv.  13-23  ;  Mark  vi.  30-46 ;  Luke  ix.  10-17  ; 
John  vi.  1-15. 


Choosing  the  Twelve  109 

He  said  to  them,  "  Come  unto  me  all  you  that 
labor  and  are  heavy  laden  and  I  will  refresh 
you.  Take  my  yoke  upon  you  and  learn  of 
me,  for  I  am  gentle  and  humble  of  heart,  and 
you  shall  find  rest  unto  your  souls,  for  my  yoke 
is  easy  and  my  burden  is  light." 

When  evening  drew  near  his  disciples  said  to 
him,  "  This  is  a  desert  place  and  the  day  is  far 
spent.  Send  the  people  away  that  they  may 
go  into  the  villages  round  about  and  get  some- 
thing to  eat  and  lodging  for  the  night." 

But  Jesus  said  to  them,  "  There  is  no  need 
for  them  to  go  away.  You  can  give  them 
something  to  eat."  Turning  to  Philip,  to  test 
him,  for  he  himself  knew  what  he  would  do, 
he  said,  "  Where  shall  we  buy  bread  so  that  all 
of  these  may  eat  ?  "  Philip  answered,  "  Fifty 
dollars'  worth  of  bread  would  not  be  enough  to 
give  each  one  a  taste."  Jesus  asked  them  how 
many  loaves  they  had.  Andrew  replied, 
"  There  is  a  lad  here  that  has  five  barley 
loaves  and  two  fish,  but  what  is  that  among 
so  many  ?  " 

Jesus  said,  "  Ask  the  people  to  sit  down  in 
groups." 

The  place  was  a  grassy  hillside  and  they  ar- 
ranged themselves  in  companies  and  ranks  of 
about  fifty  or  a  hundred,  to  the  number  of 


Matthew  xi.  28-30. 


1  io  The  Good  News 

about  five  thousand.  Jesus  took  the  loaves 
and  the  fish  and  looking  up  offered  a  blessing 
on  the  food  and  then  divided  it  into  portions 
and  gave  it  to  the  disciples  and  they  passed  it 
to  the  groups.  They  all  ate  and  were  satisfied 
and,  of  the  food  that  was  left  over  and  the 
broken  pieces,  they  gathered  up  twelve  baskets. 
When  the  multitude  began  to  realize  what  a 
marvel  this  was,  they  said,  "  This  is  truly  the 
prophet  that  was  to  come."  Jesus,  seeing  that 
they  had  it  in  their  hearts  to  take  him  by  force 
and  make  him  their  king,  persuaded  his  dis- 
ciples to  take  a  boat  and  return  to  Bethsaida. 
After  they  were  gone  he  sent  the  multitude 
away,  and  he,  himself,  went  up  into  the  moun- 
tains alone  to  pray. 

THE  disciples  were  well  out  on  the  sea  and 
the  night  had  settled  down.  A  contrary  wind 
had  sprung  up  so  that  they  were  tossed  about 
and  distressed  at  their  rowing.  Jesus  knew 
that  they  must  be  weary  and  in  danger  and  so 
he  came  to  them,  walking  on  the  water.  The 
disciples  saw  him  approaching  the  boat  and  at 
first  thought  it  was  a  ghost,  and  were  very 
much  alarmed  and  cried  out.  But  Jesus  spoke 
to  them,  saying,  "Do  not  be  afraid.  It  is  I, 
have  courage." 


Matthew  xiv.  24-36 ;  Mark  vi.  47-^56  ;  John  vi.  16-21. 


Choosing  the  Twelve  ill 

Peter  said,  "  Lord,  if  it  is  truly  you,  let  me 
come  to  you  on  the  water."  Jesus  told  him  to 
come,  and  Peter  went  down  from  the  boat  and 
started  to  walk  towards  Jesus.  But  seeing  the 
boisterous  waves  and  the  wind,  he  became 
afraid  and  began  to  sink,  crying  out,  "Lord, 
save  me."  Jesus  at  once  reached  out  his  hand 
and  held  him  up,  saying,  "  How  little  you  trust 
me.  Why  did  you  doubt  ?  "  Then  they  re- 
ceived them  into  the  boat  and  at  once  the  wind 
died  down  and  in  a  little  while  they  came  to 
where  they  were  going.  While  they  were  still 
in  the  boat  they  worshipped  him,  saying,  "  It 
is  true,  you  must  be  the  Son  of  God."  And 
yet  they  did  not  understand  the  full  significance 
of  it  all — his  power  to  supply  unlimited  food, 
his  ability  to  dominate  the  powers  of  nature. 
It  seemed  as  though  even  their  hearts  were 
hardened. 

They  landed  on  the  shores  of  Gennesaret  and 
were  quickly  recognized.  Word  was  sent  to  all 
the  region  about  and  a  crowd  soon  gathered, 
bringing  the  sick  on  beds,  anxious  to  be  healed, 
to  touch  even  the  border  of  his  garment ;  and 
as  many  as  did  so  were  immediately  healed. 

ON  the  morrow  the  crowd  still  waited  about 
on  the  other  side  of  the  sea  for  Jesus  to  appear. 


John  vi.  23-71. 


112  The  Good  News 

They  knew  that  the  disciples  had  gone  away 
alone  in  one  of  the  only  two  boats  that  were 
available  and  one  of  them  was  still  there. 

After  a  time  they  became  convinced  that 
Jesus  had  gone  and,  other  boats  from  Tiberias 
having  come  in,  they  embarked  also  for  the 
other  side,  seeking  Jesus.  When  they  found 
him  they  asked  him  how  he  came  across. 

Jesus  replied  to  them,  saying,  "  Listen  to  me. 
You  seek  me  not  because  you  have  seen  miracles 
and  understand  their  significance,  but  because 
you  ate  of  the  food  when  you  were  hungry  and 
were  satisfied.  You  work  hard  for  the  food 
that  perishes.  You  ought  to  work  just  as  hard 
for  that  which  sustains  the  timeless  Life,  which 
the  Son  of  man  can  give  you,  for  the  Father  of 
Love  has  empowered  him  to  do  it." 

"  What  must  we  do,"  they  asked,  "  that  we 
too  may  do  the  works  of  God  ? "  Jesus  re- 
plied, "  You  should  first  understand  in  what 
the  work  of  Love  consists.  This  is  the  work  of 
the  Father  of  Love,  that  you  believe  and  trust 
him  whom  he  has  sent,  and  are  obedient  to 
him." 

The  crowd  said :  "  Show  us  some  proof  that 
you  really  are  sent  from  God.  Do  some  great 
miracle  that  we  may  see  and  be  convinced. 
When  our  fathers  were  in  the  wilderness  they 
had  proof.  Manna  was  sent  to  them  out  of  the 
sky  and  they  ate  it  for  years." 


Choosing  the  Twelve  113 

Jesus  said  to  them :  "  Oh,  listen  to  what  I 
tell  you.  Moses  did  not  give  you  spiritual 
food ;  it  is  my  Father  that  gives  you  the  true 
bread  that  comes  from  the  Spiritual  Kealm. 
The  bread  of  Love  is  that  which  comes  out  of 
the  Spiritual  Realm  and  gives  a  higher  Life  to 
the  world." 

They  said,  "  Lord,  give  us  that  kind  of  bread 
for  evermore."  Jesus  said :  "  I  am  this  bread 
of  the  higher  Life.  He  that  comes  to  me  shall 
never  hunger  and  he  that  trusts  me  shall  never 
thirst.  But  I  have  already  told  you  that, 
although  you  have  seen  me,  you  do  not  trust 
me.  All  that  the  Father  gives  to  me  will  re- 
spond to  me,  and  him  that  comes  to  me  I  will 
never  desert. 

"  For  I  am  come  from  the  Spiritual  Realm, 
not  to  do  my  own  will,  but  to  do  the  will  of 
Him  that  sent  me.  This  is  the  will  of  Him 
that  sent  me,  that  of  all  that  He  has  given  me 
I  should  not  lose  a  single  one,  but  should  vitalize 
them  for  the  last  day.  It  is  the  will  of  my 
Father  that  every  one  that  sees  the  Son  and 
believes  in  him  and  is  trustfully  obedient  to  his 
teachings  shall  have  the  timeless  Life  and  I 
will  vitalize  him  for  the  last  day." 

When  Jesus  said,  "I  am  come  from  the 
Spiritual  Realm,"  the  Jews  objected.  They 
said,  "  This  is  Jesus,  the  son  of  Joseph,  whose 
father  and  mother  we  know.  How  can  he 


1 14  The  Good  News 

claim  to  come  down  from  heaven  ? "  Jesus 
said  to  them :  "  What  is  the  use  of  murmuring 
among  yourselves  ?  It  is  written  in  the  Proph- 
ets, '  They  shall  all  be  taught  of  God?  No  one 
comes  to  me  of  himself.  He  can  only  come 
when  the  Father  that  sent  me  draws  him  and 
then  I  will  vitalize  him  for  the  last  day. 

"Every  one  that  feels  the  drawing  of  the 
Father  and  responds  to  it  comes  to  me.  Not 
that  any  one  has  actually  seen  the  Father, 
except  he  that  has  come  from  the  Father  of 
Love,  he  only  has  seen  the  Father.  I  want  to 
emphasize  this,  he  that  believes  and  is  trustfully 
obedient  has  the  timeless  Life,  and  I  am  the 
bread  of  that  Life. 

"  Your  fathers  ate  manna  in  the  wilderness 
and  are  dead.  The  bread,  about  which  I  am 
telling  you,  that  comes  from  the  Spiritual 
Eealm,  is  such  that,  if  a  man  partakes  of  it,  he 
shall  never  cease  living.  I  am  that  living  bread 
that  comes  from  the  Spiritual  Kealm.  The 
sacrifice  of  my  mortal  body,  which  I  am  giving 
for  the  vitaUzation  of  the  world,  is  the  bread 
that  I  will  give." 

THE  Jews  disputed  with  one  another  about 
his  words.  "How  can  this  man  give  us  his 
flesh  to  eat?"  they  said.  Jesus  repeated  his 
words  still  more  emphatically,  "  Except  you 
eat  the  flesh  of  the  Son  of  man  and  drink  his 


Choosing  the  Twelve  115 

blood  you  cannot  have  Life  in  yourselves.  He 
that  eats  my  flesh  and  drinks  my  blood  has  the 
timeless  Life  and  I  will  vitalize  him  for  that 
last  day.  For  my  mortal  body  is  the  true 
bread  and  my  blood  is  the  true  drink.  He 
that  eats  my  body  and  drinks  my  blood  abides 
in  me  and  I  abide  in  him.  As  the  living  Fa- 
ther sent  me  and  as  I  Live  because  of  him,  so  he 
that  eats  me,  he  shall  Live  also  because  of  me. 

"  This  is  the  bread  that  comes  from  the  Spir- 
itual Kealm.  Those  of  old,  that  ate  the  manna, 
died  ;  but  those  that  eat  this  bread  shall  never 
die." 

These  things  were  said  in  the  synagogue  at 
Capernaum.  After  hearing  this  talk  many 
of  his  followers  felt  that  it  was  too  unnatural 
to  be  reasonable  or  to  be  accepted. 

Jesus  knew  that  even  his  disciples  were  dis- 
cussing it  and  so  he  said  to  them,  "  Do  these 
words  of  mine  trouble  you  ?  How  different  it 
would  be  if  you  could  see  the  Son  of  man 
ascending  to  where  he  was  before.  Let  me 
explain  my  meaning  to  you.  You  will  remem- 
ber that  I  told  you  that  the  reason  I  taught  in 
parables  was  that  my  words  might  be  a  separat- 
ing test  between  those  who  wanted  to  believe 
and  those  whose  ears  were  deadened  and  whose 
hearts  were  hardened. 

"It  is  vitality  that  gives  life;  the  natural 
flesh  cannot  give  it.  The  vital  force  of  the 


ii6  The  Good  News 

Spiritual  Realm  is  Love  and  the  words  of  love 
that  I  speak  to  you,  they  are  vitality,  they  are 
Life.  I  am  the  incarnation  of  the  Father's 
Love  Thought ;  he  that  gratefully  and  trust- 
fully receives  me  is  eating  my  body  and  drink- 
ing my  blood.  The  Love  Thought  will  abide 
in  him  and  will  be  the  vitalizing  principle  and 
the  nourishment  of  a  higher  Life — his  Life  in 
the  Spiritual  Realm." 

Jesus  knew  all  the  time  who  believed  in  him 
and  who  would  betray  him  and  so  he  repeated 
his  words  again :  "  But  no  man  comes  to  me 
unless  he  is  led  to  do  so  by  the  Father  and 
Love  Vitality." 

AFTER  this,  many  of  his  disciples  went 
away  and  followed  him  no  more.  Jesus  said 
to  the  twelve,  "  Will  you,  also,  leave  me  ? " 
Peter  answered,  "  Lord,  to  whom  can  we  go  ? 
You  alone  have  the  words  of  Eternal  Life.  We 
believe,  we  are  certain,  that  you  are  the  Divine 
One  of  God." 

Jesus  replied,  "  Have  I  not  chosen  you,  the 
twelve,  and  one  of  you  even  will  prove  to  be 
a  devil."  (He  referred  to  Judas,  the  son  of 
Simon  Iscariot,  who  was  one  of  the  twelve  and 
who  afterwards  betrayed  him.) 

SOME  of  the  Pharisees  that  had  come  from 


Matthew  xv.  1-20 ;  Mark  vii.  1-23. 


Choosing  the  Twelve  117 

Jerusalem  observed  that  some  of  the  disciples 
of  Jesus  ate  their  food  with  unwashed  hands. 
This  was  in  direct  violation  of  the  ceremonial 
law  of  the  Jews,  for  they  hold,  in  accordance 
with  ancient  traditions,  that  before  eating  the 
hands  must  be  carefully  cleansed.  There  are 
many  other  rules  in  regard  to  cleanliness,  such 
as  the  necessity  of  bathing  after  returning  from 
the  market,  rinsing  all  cups,  jugs,  and  basins. 

The  Pharisees  and  the  scribes  asked  Jesus, 
therefore,  why  it  was  that  his  disciples  did  not 
observe  these  traditions  of  the  ancients.  Jesus 
replied:  "Why  do  you  transgress  the  com- 
mandments of  God,  in  trying  to  live  up  to  these 
traditions  ?  It  was  such  hypocritical  conduct 
that  Isaiah  rebuked,  when  he  wrote, 

"  l  This  people  honor  me  with  their  lips, 
But  their  hearts  are  far  from  me. 
In  vain  do  they  worship  me,  when  they  teach 

as  divine 
The  commandments  of  men.' 

"  Moses  said,  '  Honor  thy  father  and  mother,' 
and  '  He  that  speaketh  evil  of  father  and  mother 
must  be  put  to  death.'  But  you  have  a  tradi- 
tional custom  that  if  a  son  devotes  to  the  syna- 
gogue his  property  or  income  with  which  he 
should  rightfully  support  his  father  and  mother, 
and  then  says  to  them,  *  My  property  is  all  given 
to  the  Lord,'  he  is  legally  relieved  from  all  re- 


ii8  The  Good  News 

sponsibility  for  their  further  support.  By  this 
custom  you  certainly  reject  the  commandment 
of  God  that  you  may  keep  your  tradition,  and 
this  is  only  one  instance  of  many." 

THEN  turning  to  the  multitude  that  was 
standing  by,  he  said,  "  Listen  to  this  for  I  want 
you  to  understand  it  clearly.  These  Pharisees 
object  to  our  eating  with  unwashed  hands  be- 
cause of  the  defilement.  It  is  not  that  which 
goes  into  a  man's  mouth  that  defiles  him,  but 
that  which  comes  out." 

The  disciples  came  to  him  privately  and  asked 
if  he  knew  that  the  Pharisees  were  seriously  of- 
fended ?  He  answered  them  by  saying,  "  Every 
plant  that  my  Father  in  the  Spiritual  Kealm 
does  not  plant  shall  be  rooted  up.  Pay  no  at- 
tention to  them.  They  are  blind  guides  and 
you  know  that  if  the  blind  try  to  guide  the 
blind,  they  both  fall  into  the  gutter." 

After  they  were  alone  in  the  house,  Peter 
asked  him  to  explain  the  parable  to  them. 
Jesus  said  to  them,  sadly,  "  Are  you,  too,  with- 
out penetration  ?  That  which  goes  into  a  man's 
mouth  does  not  go  into  his  soul,  but  goes  into 
the  stomach  and  goes  out  through  the  intes- 
tines." From  this  they  inferred  that  Jesus 
held  that  there  was  no  such  thing  as  food  that 
was  ceremonially  unclean. 

Jesus  continued,  "  That  which  originates  in  a 


Choosing  the  Twelve  119 

man  is  what  defiles  him.  Evil  thoughts,  sexual 
vice,  theft,  murder,  adultery,  coveting,  cruelty, 
deceit,  licentiousness,  envy,  slander,  pride,  reck- 
less folly, — all  these  wicked  things  come  from 
within  a  man's  heart  and  they  are  the  things 
that  really  defile  him." 


CHAPTER  SIX 
PEEMONITIONS  OF  THE  CRISIS 

JESUS  then  left  that  part  of  the  country 
and  went  to  the  north,  towards  the  borders 
of  Tyre  and  Sidon. 

He  went  into  a  house  and  tried  to  remain 
unknown,  but  was  not  successful.  It  was  not 
long  before  a  Canaanitish  woman  came  crying 
out  and  begging  him  to  have  mercy  on  her. 
"Oh  Lord,  Son  of  David,"  she  cried,  "my 
daughter  is  possessed  of  a  devil.  Come  and 
heal  her."  At  first  Jesus  paid  no  attention  to 
her,  but  as  she  continued  to  cry  out,  his  dis- 
ciples asked  him  to  send  her  away.  Jesus  said 
to  them,  "  Yes,  I  know  that  my  mission  is  to 
the  lost  sheep  of  the  house  of  Israel,  but " 

The  woman  kneeled  at  his  feet  and  wor- 
shipped him,  saying,  "Lord,  please  help  me." 
Still] Jesus  hesitated;  the  race  feeling  was  strong, 
even  in  him,  and  he  said,  "  It  is  hardly  proper 
to  take  the  children's  food  and  give  it  to  for- 
eigners." "Yes,  Lord,"  she  said,  "but  even 
dogs  are  permitted  to  eat  the  crumbs  that  fall 
from  their  master's  table." 


Matthew  xv.  21-28 ;  Mark  vii.  24-30. 

120 


Premonitions  of  the  Crisis          12 1 

"Oh  woman,  great  is  your  faith.  Because 
of  your  reply  it  shall  be  done  as  you  wish. 
You  may  go  now,  for  the  devil  is  gone  out  of 
your  daughter."  She  returned  at  once  to  her 
home  and  found  the  child  lying  on  a  bed  and 
healed. 

Jesus  did  not  stay  long  in  the  North,  but 
soon  returned  to  the  neighborhood  of  the  Sea  of 
Galilee  and  went  up  into  the  mountains.  There 
the  multitude  followed  him,  bringing  the  lame, 
the  blind,  the  dumb  and  diseased  and,  laying 
them  at  his  feet,  begged  him  to  heal  them. 
Jesus  did  so,  and  the  crowds  were  amazed  at 
his  power  and  glorified  the  God  of  Israel. 

Among  those  that  were  brought  was  one  who 
was  deaf  and  had  an  impediment  in  his  speech. 
Jesus  was  urged  to  lay  his  hands  on  him  ;  so  he 
took  him  one  side  where  they  would  be  alone. 
He  placed  his  finger  in  the  man's  ear,  moistened 
his  tongue  with  saliva  and,  looking  up  to  the 
sky,  he  sighed  and  said,  "  Be  open."  At  once 
the  man's  tongue  was  free  and  his  ears  were 
open  and  he  could  speak  plainly. 

He  told  the  people  not  to  talk  about  it,  but 
the  more  he  urged  them,  the  more  they  pub- 
lished it  abroad.  They  said,  "  Everything  that 
he  undertakes  he  does  well.  He  makes  even 
the  deaf  to  hear  and  the  dumb  to  speak." 

Matthew  xv.  29-31 ;  Mark  vii.  31-37. 


122  The  Good  News 

JESUS  stayed  in  the  mountains  some  days, 
and  one  day  he  said  to  his  disciples,  "  Some  of 
these  people  have  been  here  three  days  and 
have  had  nothing  to  eat.  Some  of  them  have 
come  a  long  distance  and  if  I  send  them  away 
empty  they  will  faint  by  the  way.  I  am  very 
sorry  for  them.  What  shall  we  do  ?  " 

The  disciples  said,  "  There  is  no  place  up  here 
in  the  mountains  that  we  can  buy  bread  enough 
to  satisfy  them  all."  Jesus  asked  them,  "  How 
many  loaves  have  you  ?  "  They  replied,  "  We 
have  only  seven  loaves  and  a  few  small  fish." 
Then  Jesus  told  the  multitude  to  be  seated  on 
the  ground.  He  took  the  bread  and  the  fish 
and,  after  giving  thanks,  he  broke  them  into 
portions  and  gave  to  his  disciples,  who  in  turn 
passed  them  to  the  people. 

They  all  ate  and  were  satisfied,  and  they 
took  up  of  the  fragments  that  remained  seven 
baskets.  Those  that  partook  were  about  four 
thousand,  counting  men,  women  and  children. 
Then  he  sent  the  people  away  and  he  and  his 
disciples  came  down  from  the  mountains  and, 
entering  a  boat,  crossed  over  into  Dalmanutha. 

THE  Pharisees  and  the  Sadducees  came  to 
him  there  and  tried  to  entangle  him  with  ques- 
tions and  temptations.  They  repeatedly  asked 


Matthew  XT.  32-38 ;  Mark  viii.  1-9. 
Matthew  XT.  39  ;  Mark  Tiii.  10-21. 


Premonitions  of  the  Crisis          123 

him  to  show  them  some  sign  from  heaven.  Jesus 
was  deeply  troubled  in  spirit  because  of  their  at- 
titude towards  him.  He  exclaimed,  "  Oh,  why 
does  this  evil  generation  so  persistently  seek  for 
a  sign  ?  But  no  sign  can  be  given  them,  except 
the  warning  of  the  prophet  Jonah."  Then  Jesus 
and  his  disciples,  in  order  to  get  away,  again 
took  a  boat  and  crossed  over  to  the  other  side. 

In  their  haste  to  get  away  they  forgot  to 
take  bread  and  when  Jesus,  whose  mind  was 
still  on  the  antagonism  of  the  Pharisees,  warned 
them  to  beware  of  the  leaven  of  the  Pharisees 
and  the  Sadducees,  they  thought  it  was  because 
they  had  taken  no  bread.  Jesus,  understanding 
their  thoughts,  said  to  them,  "  How  little  you 
trust  me !  Why  do  you  worry  about  bread  ? 
Do  you  not  remember  my  feeding  the  five 
thousand  with  only  five  loaves  and  how  much 
was  left  over  ?  Have  you  forgotten  the  seven 
loaves  and  the  four  thousand  people  and  how 
many  baskets  were  left  over  ?  Do  you  not  see 
the  significance  of  it  ?  Are  your  hearts  hard- 
ened and  your  eyes  heavy  and  your  ears  dull  ?  " 
Then  they  understood  that  he  was  not  speaking 
about  yeast  for  bread,  but  about  the  influence 
of  the  Pharisees  and  the  Sadducees. 

LATER  they  came  to  Bethsaida  and  a  blind 


Matthew  xvi.  12. 
Mark  viii.  22-26. 


124  The  Good  News 

man  was  brought  to  him  to  be  cured.  Jesus 
took  the  blind  man  by  the  hand  and  led  him 
out  of  the  village.  Then  he  moistened  his 
fingers  with  saliva  and  touched  his  eyes,  asking 
him  if  he  could  see  anything.  The  blind  man 
looked  up  and  said,  "  I  seem  to  see  men,  but 
they  look  like  trees  that  are  walking."  Then 
Jesus  touched  his  eyes  again  and  the  man 
looked  about  steadily  and  seeing  all  things 
clearly,  knew  that  his  sight  was  restored. 
Jesus  told  him  not  to  go  back  to  the  village, 
but  to  return  directly  home  and  to  say  nothing 
about  it.  Then  he  sent  him  away. 

AT  one  time  Jesus  was  in  Caesarea  Philippi 
and  he  asked  his  disciples  the  question,  "  Who 
do  men  say  that  I,  the  Son  of  man  am  ? " 
They  replied  that  some  said  that  he  was  John 
the  Baptist,  some  said  Elijah,  others  Jeremiah, 
or  one  of  the  prophets. 

Jesus  said,  "  But  who  do  you  think  that  I 
am?" 

Peter  said,  "  You  are  the  Messiah,  the  Son 
of  the  Living  God."  Jesus  said  to  him  :  "  You 
are  a  fortunate  man,  Peter,  for  you  have  not 
discerned  this  by  your  human  faculties,  but  my 
Father  who  is  in  the  Spiritual  Realm,  he  has 
revealed  it  to  you.  Peter,  your  name  means 


Matthew  xvi.  13-20;  Mark  viii.  27-30;  Luke  ix.  18-21. 


Premonitions  of  the  Crisis          125 

*  rock '  and  on  this  foundation,  this  discerning 
faith,  will  I  build  my  brotherhood,  and  nothing 
shall  prevail  against  it."  Then  he  urged  his 
disciples  not  to  argue  about  the  nature  of  his 
personality  with  any  one,  but  to  let  it  remain  a 
matter  of  discerning  faith. 


FKOM  this  time  on  Jesus  began  to  talk  with 
his  disciples  about  his  coming  journey  to  Jeru- 
salem and  about  the  things  that  he  must  suffer 
at  the  hands  of  the  elders  and  the  chief  priests 
and  the  scribes.  He  told  them  that  he  would 
be  put  to  death,  but  that  he  would  reappear  on 
the  third  day. 

Peter  reproved  him  for  this,  saying,  "God? 
forbid !  This  must  not  happen  to  you,  Master." 
Jesus  turned  on  him,  and  said,  "  Stop,  Peter. 
You  are  not  speaking  now  in  the  spirit  of  Love, 
but  after  the  ways  of  men.  It  will  be  hard 
enough  to  bear ;  you  must  not  make  it  harder." 

Then  turning  to  the  disciples  and  the  crowd 
that  stood  near,  he  said,  "  "Whoever  wishes  to 
follow  me  must  expect  hard  things,  but  must 
be  willing  to  deny  himself,  and  daily  take  up 
his  burden.  You  may  ask,  what  profit  is  it  to 
a  man  if  he  gain  the  whole  world  and  lose  his 
life  ?  Or,  what  will  a  man  give  in  exchange 


Matthew  xvi.  21-28  ;   Mark  viii.  31 ;   ix.  1 ;   Lake  ix. 
22-27. 


126  The  Good  News 

for  his  life  ?  I  tell  you  that  whoever  cherishes 
this  life  will  lose  a  higher  Life  and  whoever  is 
willing  to  lose  this  life  for  Love's  sake  will 
find  a  higher  Life  of  the  soul.  Whoever  is 
ashamed  of  me  and  of  my  teachings  in  this 
faithless  and  sinful  generation,  of  him  will  the 
Son  of  man  be  ashamed  when  he  comes  in  the 
glory  of  the  Father  with  his  angels.  I  tell 
you  most  earnestly,  the  time  is  near !  There 
are  some  of  you  standing  here  who,  before 
they  die,  will  see  the  Spiritual  Kealm  coming 
with  power." 

A  WEEK  after  this  Jesus  took  Peter  and 
James  and  John  and  went  up  into  the  moun- 
tains, where  they  would  be  alone,  to  pray.  As 
he  was  praying  his  whole  appearance  was 
changed.  His  face  shone  like  the  sun  and 
even  his  garments  became  white  and  dazzling. 
In  a  vision  of  glory  there  appeared  to  be  two 
men,  like  Moses  and  Elijah,  talking  with  him 
about  his  coming  death  at  Jerusalem. 

Peter  and  the  others  had  become  very  sleepy 
while  Jesus  was  praying,  but  when  the  splen- 
dor of  the  transfiguration  appeared,  they  be- 
came fully  awake  and  saw  his  glory  and  the 
two  who  were  talking  with  him.  As  the  two 
figures  began  to  disappear,  Peter,  hardly  know- 


Matthew  xvii.  1-13 ;  Mark  ix.  2-13  ;  Luke  ix.  28-36. 


Premonitions  of  the  Crisis          127 

ing  what  he  was  saying,  said  to  Jesus,  "  Master, 
we  are  thankful  to  you  that  we  are  here  to 
have  seen  this.  Let  us  build  three  shelters 
where  you  can  stay  for  a  little,  one  for  you, 
one  for  Moses,  and  one  for  Elijah." 

Even  while  he  was  speaking  a  bright  cloud 
settled  down  over  them  and  they  became 
alarmed.  Then  out  of  the  cloud  came  a  voice 
which  said,  "  This  is  my  beloved  Son,  my 
chosen  One.  Listen  to  him."  The  cloud  and 
the  voice  had  so  filled  them  with  awe  that 
they  fell  on  their  faces  thoroughly  frightened. 
Jesus  touched  them,  saying,  "  Bise  up,  do  not 
be  afraid."  Looking  up  they  saw  that  the 
cloud  had  vanished  and  they  were  alone  with 
Jesus. 

On  the  way  down  the  mountain  Jesus  told 
them  not  to  tell  others  about  the  vision  until 
the  Son  of  man  should  reappear  after  his  death. 
The  whole  occurrence  seemed  so  mysterious 
that  for  a  long  time  they  said  nothing  about  it 
to  any  one,  but  among  themselves  they  contin- 
ually questioned  what  Jesus  could  really  mean 
when  he  said  that  he  would  reappear  after  death. 

They  asked  Jesus  what  the  scribes  mean 
when  they  say  that  Elijah  must  first  come. 
Jesus  said,  "  Elijah  does  come  first  and  restores 
all  things  and,  what  is  more,  he  already  has 
come  and  they  have  done  to  him  what  they 
pleased,  as  it  was  written.  But  what  is  written 


128  The  Good  News 

about  the  Son  of  man  ?  Is  it  not  this  ?  that 
he  is  to  endure  much  suffering  and  be  set 
aside?"  Then  the  disciples  fully  understood 
that  Jesus  referred  to  John  the  Baptist. 

WHEN  they  had  come  down  to  rejoin  the 
other  disciples,  they  saw  a  great  crowd  sur- 
rounding them.  As  soon  as  they  were  noticed, 
the  crowd  came  to  meet  Jesus  and  one  man 
ran  and  kneeled  at  his  feet.  He  said :  "  Master, 
I  have  brought  my  only  son  to  you.  He  is  an 
epileptic  and  he  suffers  awfully.  A  spirit  takes 
him  and  he  goes  into  convulsions,  bruising  him- 
self and  gnashing  his  teeth.  These  convulsions 
keep  returning.  Sometimes  he  falls  into  the 
fire  and  often  into  the  water  and  he  is  fast 
wearing  himself  out.  I  begged  your  disciples 
to  heal  him,  but  they  were  unable  to  do  so. 
Oh,  Master,  have  mercy  on  him ! " 

Jesus  said,  "  Oh,  how  little  faith  you  have, 
how  slow  to  learn !  How  long  must  I  bear 
with  you  ?  Yes,  bring  the  lad  to  me."  As  he 
came  near,  the  boy  fell  in  a  convulsion,  rolling 
about  and  foaming  at  the  mouth.  Jesus  asked 
the  father  how  long  the  boy  had  been  in  this 
condition.  The  father  replied,  "  He  has  been 
this  way  from  a  child.  If  you  can  do  any- 
thing, have  mercy  on  us  and  help  us." 


Matthew  xvii.  14-20;  Mark  ix.  14-29;  Luke  ix.  37-43. 


Premonitions  of  the  Crisis          129 

Jesus  said,  "  It  all  depends  on  you.  All 
things  are  possible  to  him  who  believes  and 
trusts."  The  father  cried  out,  "  I  do  believe  ! 
Keep  me  from  doubting."  Then  Jesus  rebuked 
the  unclean  spirit,  commanding  it  to  come  out 
of  the  boy  and  never  return. 

The  child  cried  out  and  snatched  at  himself 
and  then  fell  down  as  though  he  were  dead. 
Most  of  those  who  saw  him  said  that  he  was 
dead,  but  Jesus  took  him  by  the  hand  and  he 
stood  up  completely  cured.  Every  one  was  as- 
tonished at  the  power  that  could  do  so  wonder- 
ful a  deed. 

Later  on,  when  they  were  alone,  the  disciples 
asked  Jesus  why  it  was  that  they  had  not  been 
able  to  effect  a  cure.  Jesus  replied,  "  This 
lack  of  power  can  only  be  remedied  by  prayer." 

WHILE  they  were  still  there,  Jesus  referred 
again  to  the  fact  that  he  was  soon  to  be  de- 
livered into  the  hands  of  men  and  reappear  on 
the  third  day,  but  still  they  did  not  grasp  the 
meaning.  It  seemed  to  be  hidden  from  them 
and  they  were  afraid  to  ask  for  an  explanation. 

When  they  had  returned  to  Capernaum,  the 
tax  collector  came  to  Peter  and  asked,  "  Is  not 
your  teacher  liable  for  the  customary  tax  ? " 


Matthew  xvii.  22-23  ;  Mark  ix.  30-32 ;  Luke  ix.  43-45. 
Matthew  xvii.  24-27. 


130  The  Good  News 

Peter  said  he  was  and  went  into  the  house  to 
get  it.  Before  he  could  speak  Jesus  said  to 
him,  "  Peter,  from  whom  do  you  think  that 
the  kings  of  the  earth  receive  tribute  ?  Is  it 
from  their  own  sons  or  from  strangers  ? " 
Peter  replied  that  it  was,  of  course,  from 
strangers. 

"Then,"  said  Jesus,  "we  are  free  because 
we  are  sons.  But  lest  there  be  a  dispute,  go 
down  to  the  shore  and  throw  out  a  hook  and 
look  into  the  mouth  of  the  first  fish  that  you 
catch.  You  will  find  a  coin  there.  Give  it  to 
the  tax  collector ;  it  will  be  enough  for  us  both." 

ONE  time  when  they  were  walking  along 
the  road  the  disciples  disputed  as  to  who  among 
them  was  the  most  important  one.  Later  in 
the  day  when  they  were  in  a  house  together, 
Jesus  asked  them  what  it  was  that  they  were 
discussing  on  the  way.  They  were  ashamed  to 
reply,  but  Jesus  could  read  their  thoughts  and 
said  to  them,  "  You  were  discussing  who  among 
you  was  the  greatest.  Let  me  tell  you  who  is 
greatest  in  the  Spiritual  Kealm,  that  is  more 
important. 

"  If  any  man  would  be  first,  he  must  be  least 
of  all  and  servant  of  all."  Calling  a  little 
child,  he  stood  him  by  his  side  and  said  to  his 


Matthew  xviii.  ;  Mark  ix.  33-50  ;  Luke  ix.  46-50. 


Premonitions  of  the  Crisis          131 

disciples :  "  Except  you  change  and  become  as 
little  children,  you  can  never  enter  the  Spir- 
itual Realm."  Putting  his  arms  about  the 
child  he  continued,  "  Whoever  humbles  himself 
and  becomes  as  this  little  child,  he  is  great  in 
the  Spiritual  Realm.  Whoever  shall  welcome 
one  such  little  one  in  a  spirit  of  love  welcomes 
me,  and  whoever  welcomes  me  welcomes  Him 
that  sent  me. 

"  Moreover,  whoever  is  a  hindrance  in  the 
path  of  one  of  these  little  ones  that  is  trusting 
in  me,  it  were  better  for  him  that  a  great  mill- 
stone were  hanged  about  his  neck  and  he  were 
thrown  into  the  sea.  See  that  you  do  not  de- 
spise one  of  these  little  ones,  for  in  the  Spiritual 
Realm  their  angels  always  have  access  to  the 
presence  of  my  Father,  and  it  is  not  his  purpose 
that  one  of  these  little  ones  should  perish." 

John  said  to  him,  "  Master,  to-day  we  saw 
one  casting  out  devils  in  your  name  and  we 
forbade  him  doing  so,  because  he  did  not  follow 
us."  Jesus  said,  "  You  should  not  have  stopped 
him,  for  no  one  can  do  mighty  works  in  my 
name  and  quickly  speak  evil  of  me.  He  that 
is  not  against  us  is  for  us,  and  whoever  shall 
give  a  cup  of  cold  water,  or  do  the  smallest 
kindness  in  my  name,  he  shall  never  miss  his 
reward." 

Peter  said  to  him,  "  Master,  if  my  brother 
sin  against  me,  how  often  shall  I  forgive  him  ? 


1^2  The  Good  News 

Shall  I  forgive  him  seven  times  ?  "  Jesus  re- 
plied :  "  Do  not  limit  forgiveness  to  seven 
times,  nor  to  seventy  times  seven.  If  your 
brother  offend  you,  go  to  him  privately  and 
show  him  his  fault.  If  he  will  listen  to  you, 
you  have  gained  a  brother. 

"The  Spiritual  Kealm  is  like  a  king  who 
would  make  a  settlement  with  his  agents.  One 
came  to  him  who  owed  him  ten  million  dollars 
and  who  frankly  admitted  that  he  could  not 
pay  it.  The  king,  therefore,  commanded  that 
he  be  sold,  himself  and  his  family,  and  that  all 
that  he  had  be  confiscated.  The  agent  pros- 
trated himself  and  begged,  saying,  *  Lord,  have 
patience  with  me  and  I  will  pay  it  all.'  The 
king  was  moved  with  pity  and  not  only  re- 
leased him,  but  forgave  him  the  debt. 

"  The  agent  went  out  and  found  one  of  his 
own  servants  who  owed  him  twenty-five  dol- 
lars. He  took  him  roughly  by  the  throat  and 
said,  *  You  must  pay  my  debt.'  The  servant 
fell  down  and,  in  his  turn,  begged  for  time, 
saying,  '  Have  patience  and  I  will  pay  it  all.' 
The  agent  would  not  listen  to  him,  but  had  the 
servant  put  into  prison  until  the  debt  was  paid. 

"  Some  of  his  fellow  agents,  seeing  what  was 
going  on,  reported  it  to  the  king.  Then  the 
king  recalled  his  agent  and  said  to  him,  '  You 
scoundrel !  I  forgave  you  all  your  debt  be- 
cause you  asked  it.  Should  you  not  have  had 


Premonitions  of  the  Crisis          133 

mercy  on  your  own  servant,  even  as  I  have  had 
mercy  on  you  ? '  Then  the  king  was  angry 
and  delivered  him  over  to  the  tortures  until  he 
should  have  paid  all  the  debt. 

"  In  the  same  way  my  Father  in  the  Spiritual 
Realm  shall  do  to  you,  if  you  do  not  forgive, 
from  your  heart,  every  one  his  brother." 

THE  Jews  in  Judea  were  threatening  to  kill 
Jesus,  but  he  still  continued  to  go  about  Galilee. 
As  the  Feast  of  Tabernacles  approached,  his 
brothers  suggested  that  he  go  into  Judea  and 
give  his  disciples  there  an  opportunity  of  wit- 
nessing some  miracles.  "  For,"  they  said,  "  no 
man,  who  wants  to  be  publicly  recognized,  keeps 
his  works  secret.  If  this  is  your  mission,  show 
yourself  to  the  world."  It  was  very  evident 
that  his  brothers  had  not  yet  understood  him. 

Jesus  replied  to  them,  "  It  is  not  yet  time  for 
me  to  go,  but  you  can  go  at  any  time.  The 
world  does  not  hate  you,  but  it  does  hate  me,  be- 
cause I  denounce  its  evil  ways.  Go  when  you 
please,  but  I  cannot  go  until  I  think  the  proper 
time  has  come."  After  his  brothers  had  gone, 
Jesus  remained  in  Galilee  a  few  days  and  went 
up  to  the  Feast  secretly. 

The  Jews  expected  that  he  would  appear  and 
were  on  the  watch  for  him,  and  many  questions 


John  vii.  1-21. 


134  The  Good  News 

were  asked  as  to  his  whereabouts.  There  was 
much  discussion  among  the  multitude  concerning 
him.  Some  said,  "  He  is  a  good  man."  Others 
said,  "No,  he  is  leading  the  people  astray." 
But  no  one  spoke  openly  about  him  for  fear  of 
the  Jews. 

In  the  midst  of  the  Feast  Jesus  appeared 
teaching  in  the  temple.  They  marvelled  at  his 
word,  saying,  "  How  does  this  uneducated  man 
know  so  much  ?  "  Jesus  replied :  "  My  teaching 
is  not  mine,  but  his  that  sent  me.  If  any  one 
makes  up  his  mind  to  do  the  will  of  the  Father 
of  Love,  he  will  know  whether  the  teaching  is 
from  Him  or  whether  I  am  speaking  out  of  my 
own  mind. 

"  The  one  who  teaches  the  things  that  he 
himself  originates  is  seeking  his  own  glory ; 
but  he  who  is  honestly  seeking  the  glory  of  the 
Father  of  Love  must  himself  be  sincere,  and 
then  that  which  he  teaches  will  be  the  truth. 

"  Did  not  Moses  give  you  the  Law  ?  And 
yet  none  of  you  live  up  to  it,  or  you  would  not 
seek  to  kill  me." 

Some  one  in  the  crowd  cried  out,  "  You  must 
be  crazy  ;  who  is  seeking  to  kill  you  ?  " 

SOME  one  else  said,  "  Surely  this  is  the  man 
they  are  seeking  to  kill  and  yet  he  speaks 


John  vii.  25-52. 


Premonitions  of  the  Crisis          135 

openly  and  they  say  nothing  to  him.  Can  it  be 
possible  that  the  rulers  after  all  believe  that  he 
is  the  Messiah  ?  "  Another  said,  "  No,  that  is 
impossible,  for  we  know  this  man  and  where  he 
comes  from,  but  when  the  Messiah  comes,  no 
one  will  know  from  whence  he  appeared." 

Jesus  cried  out  in  the  temple :  "  You  know 
me  and  you  know  from  whence  I  come,  do  you  ? 
But  do  you  know  that  I  have  not  come  of  my- 
self ?  Do  you  know  that  the  One  that  sent  me 
is  the  highest  Reality  ?  You  do  not  know  Him, 
but  I  know  Him,  because  he  sent  me  and  I  am 
come  from  Him." 

But  there  were  many  in  the  multitude  who 
believed  in  Jesus  and  they  said,  "  When  the 
Messiah  comes  will  he  do  more  than  this  man  is 
able  to  do  ?  " 

The  Pharisees  heard  these  murmurings  and 
they  redoubled  their  efforts  to  get  Jesus  out  of 
the  way.  They  and  the  chief  priests  sent  offi- 
cers to  arrest  him,  but  no  one  actually  laid  hands 
on  him  for  his  hour  was  not  yet  come. 

To  them  Jesus  said,  "  I  am  with  you  only  a 
little  while  and  then  I  go  to  Him  that  sent  me. 
You  will  seek  me  and  will  not  find  me,  for 
where  I  am  you  cannot  come."  The  Jews  said 
among  themselves,  "  Where  will  he  go  that  we 
cannot  find  him  ?  Will  he  go  to  the  Hebrews 
that  are  dispersed  among  the  Greeks,  or  will  he 
go  to  teach  the  Greeks  themselves  ?  What  does 


136  The  Good  News 

he  mean  when  he  says,  *  You  will  seek  me  and 
will  not  find  me,  for  where  I  am  you  cannot 
come '  ?  " 

ON  the  last  day  of  the  Feast,  and  that  was  the 
great  day,  Jesus  stood  forth  and  said,  "  If  any 
man  is  thirsty,  let  him  come  to  me  and  drink. 
The  Scriptures  speak  truly  when  they  say, 
'  Rivers  of  living  water  shall  well  up  in  him 
who  believes  and  trusts  in  me?  "  The  full  sig- 
nificance of  this  saying  was  not  apparent  at  the 
time,  for  Jesus  was  speaking  of  the  Love  Vital- 
ity that  they  who  believed  in  him  were  to  re- 
ceive after  his  ascension. 

Some  of  those  who  heard  him  speak  said, 
"  This  is  surely  the  prophet  that  is  to  come." 
Others  said,  "  No,  he  is  himself  the  Messiah." 
Still  others  said,  "  Impossible.  This  man  is  from 
Galilee  and  the  Scriptures  say  that  the  Messiah 
is  to  come  from  Bethlehem,  because  he  is  to  be 
descended  from  David,  and  Bethlehem  is  David's 
native  town." 

Thus  the  dispute  and  division  of  sentiment 
went  on,  but  no  one  was  willing  actually  to  lay 
hands  on  him.  The  oflicers  therefore  returned 
to  the  chief  priests  and  Pharisees  without  Jesus. 
"When  questioned  as  to  why  they  had  not 
brought  him  they  said,  "  No  man  ever  spoke  as 
he  speaks."  The  Pharisees  said,  "What,  are 
you  also  bewitched?  Don't  you  know  that 


Premonitions  of  the  Crisis          137 

none  of  the  educated  men  and  men  of  author- 
ity believe  in  him?  As  for  the  multitude, 
they  know  nothing  about  the  law,  and  are 
damned  anyway." 

Nicodemus,  the  member  of  the  Sanhedrin 
who  had  come  to  Jesus  by  night,  then  spoke 
up,  "Does  our  Law  judge  a  man  before  a 
charge  is  brought  against  him  and  before  he 
has  been  given  an  opportunity  to  defend  him- 
self ?  "  The  others  replied,  "  Are  you  also  from 
Galilee?  If  you  make  search  you  will  know 
that  no  prophet  ever  came,  or  ever  will  come, 
out  of  Galilee." 

THE  day  being  over,  every  one  returned  to 
his  home,  and  Jesus  went  to  the  Mount  of 
Olives.  Early  the  next  morning  he  was  at  the 
temple  again  and  the  people  thronged  about  him 
as  he  took  a  seat  and  began  to  talk  with  them. 

While  he  was  here  the  scribes  and  the  Phari- 
sees brought  to  him  a  woman  who  had  been 
taken  in  adultery.  They  said  to  him,  "  Ac- 
cording to  the  Law  which  Moses  has  com- 
manded, this  woman  should  be  stoned  to  death. 
What  do  you  say  about  her  ?  "  They  did  it, 
of  course,  hoping  to  find  in  his  reply  some 
ground  upon  which  they  could  base  charges 
against  him. 


John  vii.  53;  viii.  1-11. 


138  The  Good  News 

At  first  Jesus  did  not  reply,  but  stooping 
down,  he  wrote  with  his  finger  on  the  ground. 
They  continued  to  question  him  and  finally  he 
stood  up  and  said  to  them,  "  Let  him  who  is 
sinless  among  you  cast  the  first  stone."  Then 
again  he  stooped  down  and  continued  to  write 
on  the  ground.  When  they  heard  his  reply, 
one  by  one  they  went  out,  from  the  eldest  to 
the  youngest. 

Jesus  then  stood  up  and  said,  "Woman, 
where  are  they  ?  Did  no  one  condemn  you  ?  " 
She  replied,  "  No  one,  Sir."  Jesus  said  to  her, 
"  Neither  will  I  condemn  you.  Go  away  now, 
but  do  not  sin  any  more." 

AFTER  this  Jesus  resumed  his  teaching. 
He  said,  "  I  am  the  Light  of  the  world.  He 
that  follows  me  will  not  walk  in  darkness,  but 
will  have  in  him  the  Light  of  Life." 

The  Pharisees  said  to  him,  "You  are  cer- 
tainly bearing  witness  to  yourself  now,  and  of 
course  it  can  carry  no  weight."  Jesus  said: 
"  Even  if  I  am  bearing  witness  to  myself,  my 
testimony  may  be  true.  I  know  from  whence 
I  come  and  where  I  am  going,  neither  of  which 
you  know.  You  are  always  judging  by  ap- 
pearances; I  judge  no  man  in  that  way. 
When  I  judge,  my  judgment  is  sound,  because 


John  viii.  12-30. 


Premonitions  of  the  Crisis          139 

I  am  not  alone ;  the  Father  who  sent  me  is 
with  me.  It  is  written  that  the  witness  of  two 
men  is  final.  I  bear  witness  and  my  Father 
who  sent  me  bears  witness." 

They  said  to  him,  "  Where  is  your  Father  ?  " 
Jesus  said,  "  You  do  not  understand  me  or  my 
Father.  If  you  knew  me,  you  would  know  my 
Father  also.  I  am  going  away  soon  and  where 
I  g°  y°u  cannot  follow,  but  the  time  will 
come  when  you  will  seek  me  vainly  and  will 
die  in  your  sins." 

The  Jews  questioned  among  themselves, 
"What  does  he  mean  when  he  says  that  he 
is  going  away  and  we  cannot  follow  ?  Will  he 
kill  himself  ?  "  Jesus  continued,  "  The  reason 
that  I  said  that  you  will  die  in  your  sins  is 
this :  you  are  from  beneath,  I  am  from  above. 
I  am  not  of  this  world ;  I  am  of  a  higher 
Spiritual  Order.  Unless  you  trustingly  be- 
lieve in  me,  you  will  remain  in  the  lower  life 
and  therefore,  most  certainly,  you  will  die  in 
your  sins." 

They  said  to  him,  "  Tell  us  who  you  really 
are."  Jesus  replied,  "  I  am  all  that  I  have  told 
you  from  the  beginning.  The  Father  who  sent 
me  is  to  be  trusted,  and  the  things  that  I  hear 
from  Him  I  must  speak  to  the  world.  If  you 
would  only  listen  to  me,  there  are  many  things 
that  vitally  concern  you  that  I  would  willingly 
tell  you." 


140  The  Good  News 

Still  they  did  not  understand  his  reference 
to  the  Father.  Jesus  continued,  "When  you 
have  lifted  up  the  Son  of  man,  then  you  will 
know  who  I  am.  You  will  know  that  I  have 
done  nothing  of  myself,  and  have  spoken  only 
as  the  Father  teaches  me.  He  that  sent  rne  is 
with  me,  and  He  never  forsakes  me,  because  I 
always  do  the  things  that  please  Him." 

IN  spite  of  the  opposition,  many  of  the  Jews 
had  come  to  believe  in  him  and  to  these  Jesus 
now  turned,  saying,  "  If  you  really  wish  to  be 
my  disciples,  you  must  live  close  to  the  spirit 
of  my  teachings.  If  you  do  that,  then  you  will 
have  an  insight  into  the  truth,  and  the  truth 
will  set  you  free." 

Some  one  in  the  crowd  said  to  him,  "We 
are  descendants  of  Abraham  and  have  never 
been  in  bondage  to  any  one.  What  do  you 
mean  when  you  say,  '  You  will  be  set  free '  ?  " 
Jesus  explained,  "  Every  one  that  commits  sin 
is  a  slave.  The  slave  has  no  permanent  right 
in  the  master's  house,  but  the  master's  son  has ; 
and,  if  the  Son  gives  you  your  freedom,  you 
will  be  actually  free. 

"  I  know  that  you  are  descendants  of  Abra- 
ham and  yet  some  among  you  are  seeking  op- 
portunity to  kill  me,  and  my  teachings  can 


John  viii.  31-59. 


Premonitions  of  the  Crisis          141 

make  almost  no  headway  among  you.  I  speak 
only  the  things  that  I  learn  from  my  Father 
and  you  do  the  things  that  you  learn  from  your 
father."  They  said,  "  Abraham  is  our  Father." 
"If  you  are  truly  Abraham's  children,"  said 
Jesus,  "  you  would  do  as  Abraham  would  do. 
But  now  you  seek  to  kill  me,  who  have  told 
you  the  truth,  which  I  heard  from  the  Father 
of  Love.  Abraham  would  never  have  done  that. 
No,  you  are  doing  the  deeds  of  your  father." 

They  said,  "  We  are  not  illegitimate  children, 
God  is  our  Father."  "  If  God  were  your 
Father,"  said  Jesus,  "  you  would  love  me,  for  I 
am  come  from  Him.  I  did  not  come  of  myself ; 
the  Father  of  Love  has  sent  me.  Why  can  you 
not  understand  my  teachings  ?  Is  it  because 
you  cannot  hear  my  words  ?  No,  you  are  chil- 
dren of  your  father,  the  devil,  and  you  will  nat- 
urally do  the  things  that  he  desires.  He  was  a 
murderer  from  the  beginning.  He  does  not 
stick  to  the  truth,  because  there  is  no  truth  in 
him.  When  one  speaks  a  lie,  he  speaks  of  that 
which  is  his  own,  for  his  father  was  a  liar  and 
the  father  of  lies. 

"Has  any  one  ever  convicted  me  of  sin? 
Then  if  I  speak  the  truth,  why  do  you  not  be- 
lieve me?  I  will  tell  you  the  reason.  The 
reason  is  that  you  are  not  influenced  by  Love. 
He  that  is  sensitive  to  Love  will  appreciate  the 
words  of  the  Father  of  Love." 


142  The  Good  News 

One  of  the  Jews  said,  "  "We  were  very  near 
the  truth  when  we  said  that  you  were  a  Samari- 
tan and  crazy."  Jesus  said,  "  No,  I  am  not  in- 
sane, I  honor  the  Father,  but  you  are  dishonor- 
ing me.  I  do  not  care  for  my  own  glory ;  there 
is  One  who  cares  for  me,  let  Him  be  the  judge. 
But  I  want  to  tell  you  most  earnestly  that  if  a 
man  would  live  in  harmony  with  the  spirit  of 
my  teachings,  he  would  never  know  death." 

The  Jews  said,  "  Now  we  know  that  you  are 
crazy.  Abraham  died  and  the  prophets  are 
long  since  dead,  and  yet  you  say,  '  If  a  man 
keep  my  word,  he  will  never  die.'  Are  you 
greater  than  our  father  Abraham,  that  is  dead  ? 
And  the  prophets  that  are  dead?  Who  are 
you  anyway  ?  " 

Jesus  said,  "  If  I  praise  myself,  my  glory  will 
amount  to  nothing.  It  is  my  Father  that  glori- 
fies me.  You  say  that  He  is  your  God,  but  I 
tell  you  that  you  have  never  really  known  Him. 
I  know  Him  and,  if  I  should  say  that  I  did  not 
know  Him,  I  should  be  lying,  just  the  same  as 
you  are  when  you  claim  to  know  Him.  But  I 
really  know  Him  and  am  living  according  to 
his  word.  Your  father,  Abraham,  exulted  in 
the  hope  of  seeing  my  day  and  he  did  see  it 
and  rejoiced." 

The  Jews  said,  "  You  are  not  yet  forty  years 
of  age,  how  could  you  have  seen  Abraham  ?  " 
Jesus  replied,  "  Before  Abraham  was  born,  I 


Premonitions  of  the  Crisis          143 

am.     As  the  Father's  Love  Thought  I  was  with 
the  Father  of  Love  from  the  beginning." 

Then  they  took  up  stones  to  stone  him,  but 
he  disappeared  from  their  sight  and  passed  out 
of  the  temple. 


CHAPTER  SEVEN 

FAREWELL  TO  GALILEE  AND  PUBLIC  PROC- 
LAMATION OF  MESSIAHSHIP 

AFTER  the  Feast  of  Tabernacles  that 
Jesus  had  attended  in  October  he  re- 
turned to  Galilee.  The  Feast  of  Dedi- 
cation would  come  in  December  and  the  great 
Feast  of  the  Passover  in  the  following  April. 

As  the  days  of  his  earthly  life  were  drawing 
to  a  close,  he  felt  an  increasing  longing  to  be 
in  Jerusalem.  He  did  not  go  there  directly, 
but  by  way  of  northern  Samaria  and  Peraea, 
the  country  that  lay  to  the  east  of  the  Jordan 
VaUey. 

Hitherto  he  had  left  his  followers  to  discern 
his  Messiahship  for  themselves,  but  now  it  must 
be  asserted  openly.  If  he  was  to  be  finally  re- 
jected he  felt  that  it  should  be  done  publicly 
by  the  chief  priests  acting  for  the  nation. 

The  character  of  his  teachings  had  repelled 
the  larger  part  of  the  multitudes  that  had 
flocked  to  him  during  the  earlier  months  of  hk 
ministry.  His  words  had  indeed  proven  to  be 
a  test  by  which  the  thoughts  of  men's  hearts 


Matthew  viii.  19-22;  Luke  ix.  51-62;  x.  1-11. 
144 


Farewell  to  Galilee  145 

had  been  revealed.  They  wanted  a  king  who 
would  restore  their  nation  to  its  old  time 
prestige.  He  proclaimed  their  nearness  to  a 
Kingdom  of  Love  and  called  them  to  repent- 
ance. His  works  were  mighty  and  his  teach- 
ings were  sublime,  but  he  himself  was  humble 
and  kindly  and  unselfish.  He  was  not  the  kind 
of  a  Messiah  the  people  wanted;  and  so  the 
words  of  the  prophet  came  true. 

"  He  was  despised  and  rejected  of  men ;  a 
man  of  sorrow  and  acquainted  with  grief"  * 

AT  this  time  Jesus  appointed  seventy  of  his 
disciples  to  go  out  by  twos  into  every  village 
and  town  where  he  intended  later  on  to  come 
himself.  He  said  to  them,  "  The  harvest  is 
abundant,  but  the  laborers  are  few.  I  want 
you  to  pray  to  the  Lord  of  the  harvest  that  he 
send  forth  laborers  into  his  fields. 

"  I  send  you  forth  as  lambs  into  the  midst  of 
wolves,  but  go  your  different  ways  without 
fear.  Carry  no  purse,  no  bag,  no  extra  shoes 
even,  and  do  not  stop  to  gossip  by  the  way. 
Whenever  you  go  into  a  house,  say,  *  Peace  be 
to  this  house.'  If  they  welcome  you,  your 
benediction  will  be  acceptable.  If  you  are 
conscious  of  no  response  of  welcome,  do  not 
remain,  but  go  elsewhere.  "When  you  find  a 
welcome,  remain  there ;  do  not  go  from  house 

*  Connection  supplied  by  author. 


146  The  Good  News 

to  house.  Eat  whatever  is  set  before  you,  for 
the  laborer  is  worthy  of  his  support ;  but  do 
not  ask  for  special  attentions.  Heal  the  sick 
in  the  house  and  village  where  you  are  wel- 
come, and  say  to  them,  '  The  Spiritual  Realm 
is  very  near  to  you.' 

"  If  you  enter  a  town  where  you  are  not 
welcome,  go  into  the  principal  streets  and  pro- 
claim, '  Not  even  the  dust  of  your  streets  do 
we  take  away  with  us.  We  come  to  tell  you 
of  the  Spiritual  Realm.  You  do  not  welcome 
us,  but  know  this,  the  Spiritual  Realm  has 
come  very  near.'  He  that  listens  to  you  is 
listening  to  me.  He  that  rejects  you  is  reject- 
ing me ;  and  he  that  rejects  me  has  rejected 
Him  that  sent  me." 

As  they  approached  Samaria  these  messen- 
gers went  ahead  to  make  ready  for  his  coming. 
They  created  great  excitement  and  interest. 
Wherever  Jesus  came  great  multitudes  were 
waiting  to  see  and  hear  him  and  they  followed 
him  from  place  to  place.  He  taught  these 
multitudes  as  was  his  habit  and  healed  the 
sick. 

When  it  became  known  that  he  was  on  his 
way  to  Jerusalem,  the  Samaritans  were  unwill- 
ing that  he  should  pass  through  their  country. 
When  his  disciples,  James  and  John,  saw  their 
attitude  they  suggested  to  Jesus  that  he  call 
down  fire  from  heaven  to  consume  them,  but 


Farewell  to  Galilee  147 

Jesus  rebuked  his  disciples  and  led  them  by 
another  way. 


AS  they  passed  along  a  scribe  said  to  Jesus, 
"  Master,  I  will  follow  you  wherever  you  go." 
Jesus  said  to  him,  "  The  foxes  have  holes  and 
the  birds  of  the  air  have  nests ;  but  the  Son  of 
man  has  nowhere  to  lay  his  head." 

Another  man  said,  "  Let  me  first  return  and 
bury  my  father."  But  Jesus  said,  "  Let  those 
that  belong  to  the  realm  of  death  bury  their 
own  dead;  but  as  for  you,  go  and  preach 
everywhere  the  Good  News  of  the  Spiritual 
Realm." 

Still  another  said,  "  I  will  follow  you,  Mas- 
ter, only  let  me  first  return  home  and  bid  them 
farewell."  But  Jesus  said  to  him,  "No  man 
having  put  his  hand  to  the  plow  and  then  look- 
ing back  is  fit  for  the  Spiritual  Realm." 

Jesus  turned  to  the  great  multitude  that  fol- 
lowed him  and  said :  "  A  man  cannot  be  my 
disciple  unless  he  is  so  fixed  in  his  devotion 
that  it  is  just  as  though,  in  contrast,  he  hated 
his  father  and  mother  and  children  and  broth- 
ers and  sisters,  yes,  and  even  his  own  life.  One 
cannot  be  my  disciple  until  he  is  willing  to 
take  up  his  heaviest  cross  and  follow  me. 

"  If  one  of  you  wanted  to  build  a  tower, 


Luke  xiv.  25-35. 


148  The  Good  News 

would  you  not  first  sit  down  and  count  the 
cost  to  assure  yourself  that  you  have  the  means 
to  finish  it  ?  No  one  wants  to  be  the  laughing 
stock  of  the  community  and  to  have  people 
taunt  him,  saying,  '  This  man  started  to  build 
but  could  not  finish.' 

"  What  king  undertakes  a  war  against  an- 
other without  first  considering  whether  with 
his  ten  thousand  soldiers  he  will  be  able  to 
meet  his  enemy  with  twenty  thousands.  Does 
he  not  send  an  ambassador,  while  the  other 
army  is  yet  a  great  ways  off,  and  ask  for  con- 
ditions of  peace  ?  No,  not  one  of  you  can  be 
a  disciple  of  mine  unless  he  has  renounced  all 
that  he  has.  My  disciples  are  to  be  the  salt  of 
the  earth,  and  unless  the  salt  retains  its  virtue, 
it  is  worthless  and  men  throw  it  away.  If  you 
have  ears  to  hear,  you  can  understand  what  I 
mean." 

The  seventy,  whom  he  had  sent  out  by  twos, 
returned  to  him  from  time  to  time,  rejoicing  in 
spirit.  They  reported  to  Jesus  that  when  they 
used  his  name,  even  the  demons  were  subject 
unto  them.  Jesus  said  to  them :  "  Yes,  I  have 
given  you  authority  to  tread  on  serpents  and 
scorpions,  and  over  all  the  power  of  the  enemy. 
Nothing  shall  in  any  way  hurt  you ;  neverthe- 
less, do  not  rejoice  in  this,  that  the  demons  are 
in  subjection  to  you,  but  rejoice  that  your 
names  are  written  in  the  Spiritual  Realm. " 


Farewell  to  Galilee  149 

A  LAWYER  then  came  forward  and  asked 
Jesus  a  question  designed  to  test  him. 
"Teacher,"  he  said,  "what  shall  I  do  to  in- 
herit eternal  life  ?  "  Jesus  said,  "  What  is  writ- 
ten in  the  Law  ?  How  do  you  read  it  ?  " 

The  lawyer  said,  "  The  Law  says :  *  Thou 
ahalt  love  the  Lord  thy  God  with  all  thy  heart, 
and  with  all  thy  soul,  and  with  all  thy  strength, 
and  with  all  thy  mind  ;  and  thy  neighbor  as  thy- 
self" Jesus  said  to  him,  "  You  have  answered 
rightly.  If  you  do  that  you  will  live." 

But  the  lawyer,  wishing  to  put  himself  in  a 
better  light,  asked,  "  But  who  is  my  neighbor  ?  " 
Jesus  replied  as  follows :  "  A  certain  man  was 
going  down  from  Jerusalem  to  Jericho  and  he 
fell  among  robbers,  who  stripped  him  and  beat 
him  and  left  him  half  dead.  By  chance  a 
priest  was  going  that  way  and  when  he  saw 
him,  he  passed  by  on  the  other  side.  A  Levite, 
also,  when  he  came  to  the  place  and  saw  him, 
passed  by  on  the  other  side. 

"  But  a  Samaritan  as  he  journeyed  came  to 
where  he  was.  When  he  saw  him  he  was 
moved  with  pity  and  came  to  him  and  bound 
up  his  wounds  with  wine  and  oil.  He  placed 
him  on  his  own  mule  and  brought  him  to  an 
inn  and  took  care  of  him.  On  the  morrow 
when  he  had  to  go,  he  left  money  with  the  inn- 


Luke  x.  17-20,  25-37. 


150  The  Good  News 

keeper  for  his  care  and  said  to  him,  'What- 
ever more  you  expend  I  will  pay  you  when  I 
return.' 

"  Which  of  these  three,  do  you  think,  was 
neighbor  to  him  who  fell  among  robbers?" 
The  lawyer  said,  "It  was  he  that  showed 
mercy."  Jesus  said,  "  Then  you  must  be  like 
him." 

AS  they  drew  near  Jerusalem  they  came  to 
the  village  of  Bethany  and  were  received  into 
the  house  of  a  woman  named  Martha.  She  had 
a  sister  called  Mary  who,  also,  was  one  of  those 
who  listened  gladly  to  the  words  of  Jesus. 

Martha  was  distracted  with  the  extra  work 
and  came  to  Jesus  and  said,  "  Do  you  notice, 
Master,  that  my  sister  has  left  me  to  do  all  the 
work  ?  Bid  her  to  help  me."  But  Jesus  said 
to  her,  "  Martha,  Martha,  you  are  anxious  and 
troubled  about  many  things.  There  is  only 
one  thing  that  is  really  important.  Mary  has 
chosen  the  good  portion,  and  it  shall  not  be 
taken  away  from  her." 

AS  his  disciples  were  passing  along  they  saw 
a  man  who  had  been  blind  from  his  birth. 
They  asked  Jesus,  "Why  was  this  man  born 
blind?  Did  he  sin,  or  his  parents?"  Jesus 


Luke  x.  38-42. 
John  ix. ;  x.  19-21. 


Farewell  to  Galilee  151 

answered,  "  It  was  neither  for  his  sin,  nor  for 
his  parent's  sin.  It  was  so  that  the  mercy  of 
the  Father  of  Love  might  be  shown  in  his  heal- 
ing. I  must  do  the  work  of  him  that  sent  me 
while  the  daylight  lasts ;  the  night  is  coming 
when,  no  one  can  work.  While  I  am  in  the 
world,  I  am  the  Light  of  the  world." 

While  he  was  speaking,  he  spat  on  the  ground 
and  made  clay  of  the  saliva,  which  he  spread  on 
the  eyes  of  the  blind  man  and  then  said  to  him, 
"  Go  to  the  Pool  of  Siloam  and  wash."  The 
blind  man  went  and  after  he  had  washed  his 
eyes  he  could  see. 

The  neighbors  and  those  that  had  known 
him  as  a  beggar,  said,  "  Is  not  this  the  blind 
beggar  ?  "  Some  said  it  was,  but  others  said, 
"  No,  he  is  some  one  that  looks  like  him."  But 
the  man  himself  said,  "I  am  he."  They  asked 
him  how  his  eyes  were  opened  and  he  said, 
"  The  man  that  is  called  Jesus  made  clay  and 
put  it  on  my  eyes  and  told  me  to  go  to  Siloam 
and  wash.  I  did  so  and  received  my  sight." 
They  asked  him  where  Jesus  was  and  he  re- 
plied that  he  did  not  know. 

As  it  was  on  the  Sabbath  day  that  this  was 
done,  they  took  the  man  to  the  Pharisees,  who 
also  questioned  him  as  to  how  he  received  his 
sight.  He  said  to  them,  "  He  put  clay  on  my 
eyes ;  I  washed  and  now  I  see."  One  of  the 
Pharisees  said  that  it  was  evident  that  the 


152  The  Good  News 

man  could  not  be  of  God,  or  he  would  have 
kept  the  Sabbath.  Others  asked  how  it  was 
possible  for  a  sinner  to  do  such  a  miracle ;  so 
there  was  a  division  among  them. 

Then  they  turned  to  the  blind  man  and  asked 
him  what  he  thought  of  the  man  who  had 
opened  his  eyes.  He  replied  without  hesita- 
tion, "  He  is  a  prophet."  The  Jews  still  doubted 
if  he  really  had  been  blind  and  so  they  sum- 
moned his  parents.  "Is  this  man,  who  they 
say  was  born  blind,  your  son  ?  How  is  it  that 
he  can  now  see  ?  " 

His  parents  replied,  "  We  know  that  this  is 
our  son  and  we  know  that  he  was  born  blind, 
but  as  to  how  he  received  his  sight,  or  as  to 
who  healed  him,  we  are  ignorant.  He  is  of 
age ;  ask  him,  let  him  speak  for  himself."  His 
parents  knew  that  the  Jews  had  already  agreed 
that  any  one  who  admitted  that  he  believed 
that  Jesus  was  the  Messiah  was  to  be  put  out 
of  the  synagogue  and  they  were  therefore  afraid 
of  the  Jews.  This  explains  why  they  tried  to 
avoid  answering  the  questions. 

So  they  called  the  man  who  was  born  blind 
a  second  time  and  said  to  him,  "  Give  glory  to 
God ;  we  know  that  this  man  Jesus  is  a  sinner." 
The  man  said,  "  Whether  he  is  a  sinner  or  not 
I  do  not  know.  One  thing  I  do  know  and  that 
is  this,  once  I  was  blind,  now  I  see."  They 
said  to  him,  "  What  did  he  do  to  you  ?  How 


Farewell  to  Galilee  153 

did  he  open  your  eyes?"  The  man  replied, 
"  I  have  already  told  you  and  you  do  not  listen. 
Why  do  you  want  me  to  repeat  it  ?  Are  you 
thinking  of  becoming  his  disciples  ?  " 

Then  they  reviled  him  and  said,  "  You  are 
his  disciple ;  we  are  disciples  of  Moses.  We 
know  that  God  has  spoken  to  Moses,  but  as 
for  this  fellow,  we  know  nothing  about  him." 
The  man  said,  "  Why,  that  is  strange ;  you 
say  you  know  nothing  about  him  and  yet  he 
has  opened  my  eyes.  We  know  that  God  does 
not  listen  to  sinners  ;  but  if  any  one  be  a  wor- 
shipper of  God  and  does  his  will,  God  will 
listen  to  him.  Never  since  the  world  began 
has  any  one  heard  of  any  one  opening  the  eyes 
of  a  man  born  blind.  If  Jesus  were  not  from 
God  he  could  do  nothing." 

Then  they  said  to  him,  "  You  were  born  in 
sin,  and  do  you  presume  to  teach  us  ? "  And 
they  threw  him  out  of  the  temple.  Jesus  heard 
that  they  had  thrown  him  out  and  so  he  found 
him  and  said,  "  Do  you  believe  in  the  Son  of 
man  ?  "  "  Who  is  he,  Lord,"  the  man  replied, 
"  that  I  may  believe  on  him."  Jesus  said  to 
him,  "You  have  seen  him  and  he  is  now 
speaking  with  you."  The  man  said,  "  Lord, 
I  do  believe,"  and  he  prostrated  himself  in 
worship. 

Then  Jesus  said,  "  I  come  into  the  world  to 
test  men,  so  that  they  who  do  not  see,  but  want 


154  The  Good  News 

to,  may  see,  and  those  who  think  they  see  may 
realize  their  blindness." 

When  the  Pharisees  who  were  standing  near 
heard  this,  they  asked  him,  "  Are  we,  then, 
blind  ?  "  Jesus  replied  to  them,  "  If  you  were 
blind  you  would  not  be  responsible,  but  when 
you  admit  that  you  see  you  are  responsible ; 
your  sin  remains." 

Again  there  was  a  division  among  the  Jews 
over  his  words.  Many  of  them  said,  "  He  has 
a  demon.  He  is  crazy ;  why  listen  to  him  ?  " 
Others  said,  "  These  are  not  the  teachings  of 
one  possessed  of  a  demon.  Such  an  one  can- 
not open  the  eyes  of  the  blind." 

IT  was  now  the  Feast  of  the  Dedication  at 
Jerusalem,  and  as  it  was  winter,  Jesus  was 
walking  in  Solomon's  porch  in  the  temple. 
The  Jews  came  about  him  and  said,  "  How  long 
are  you  going  to  keep  us  in  suspense  ?  If  you 
are  the  Messiah,  tell  us  so  plainly."  Jesus  re- 
plied :  "  I  have  already  told  you,  and  you  do 
not  believe  me.  The  very  works  that  I  am 
doing  in  my  Father's  name  ought  to  be  a  suf- 
ficient proof  to  you. 

"  But  you  do  not  believe  because  you  are  not 
of  my  sheep.  My  sheep  hear  my  voice  and  I 
know  them  and  they  follow  me.  I  give  to 


John  x.  23-290 


Farewell  to  Galilee  155 

them  the  timeless,  spiritual  Life.  They  shall 
never  perish  and  no  one  shall  snatch  them  out 
of  my  hand.  My  Father,  who  has  given  them 
to  me,  is  greater  than  all  and  no  one  is  able  to 
take  them  from  him. 

"  HE  that  does  not  enter  the  sheepfold  by 
the  door,  but  climbs  up  some  other  way,  is  a 
thief  and  a  robber.  The  shepherd  is  the  one 
that  enters  by  the  door  and  for  him  the  porter 
opens  the  door.  The  sheep  hear  his  voice ;  he 
calls  his  own  by  name  and  leads  them  out. 
When  he  has  all  his  own  together,  he  goes 
before  them  and  the  sheep  follow,  for  they 
know  his  voice.  They  will  not  follow  a 
stranger,  but  will  run  from  him  because  they 
do  not  know  the  voice  of  a  stranger."  The 
people  heard  these  words,  but  they  did  not  un- 
derstand their  significance. 

Jesus  continued,  "  I  am  the  shepherd  of  the 
sheep.  All  that  come  claiming  to  be  such  are 
thieves  and  robbers,  but  the  sheep  do  not  recog- 
nize their  voice.  I  am  the  shepherd  of  men  ;  if 
any  man  comes  with  me,  he  can  go  in  and  come 
out  with  safety  and  find  pasture.  The  thief 
comes  only  to  steal,  to  kill,  and  to  destroy.  I 
come  that  they  may  have  Life,  and  that  they 
may  have  Life  abundantly. 

"  I  am  the  good  shepherd.    The  good  shep- 

John  x.  1-18. 


156  The  Good  News 

herd  is  willing  to  lay  down  his  life  for  his 
sheep.  The  hireling  that  does  not  own  the 
sheep,  when  he  sees  a  wolf  coming,  leaves 
the  sheep  and  runs  away  while  the  wolf  kills 
and  scatters  the  flock.  He  runs  because  he  is 
an  hireling  and  does  not  really  care  for  the 
sheep.  I  am  the  good  shepherd.  I  know  my 
own,  and  my  own  know  me.  I  know  the  Father 
just  as  the  Father  knows  me.  I  lay  down  my 
life  for  my  sheep. 

"  I  have  other  sheep  that  do  not  belong  to 
this  fold.  I  must  bring  them  also  and  they 
will  hear  my  voice  and  there  will  be  one  flock 
and  one  shepherd.  That  is  why  the  Father 
loves  me,  because  1  am  willing  to  lay  down  my 
life.  ]STo  one  takes  it  away  from  me  ;  I  lay  it 
down  of  myself.  I  have  power  to  lay  it  down 
and  I  have  power  to  take  it  again.  I  have  my 
Father's  word  for  this.  I  and  the  Father  are  one. " 

AGAIN  the  Jews  took  up  stones  to  stone 
him.  Jesus  said  to  them,  "  I  have  shown  you 
many  good  works  from  the  Father ;  for  which 
of  these  works  do  you  stone  me  ?  "  The  Jews 
replied,  "  We  do  not  stone  you  for  the  good 
works,  but,  because  of  your  blasphemy  and  be- 
cause you,  a  man,  make  yourself  God." 

Jesus  asked  them  :  "  Is  it  not  written  in  the 
Law,  '  /  said  ye  are  gods?  If  he  called  them 

John  x.  30-42. 


Farewell  to  Galilee  157 

gods,  to  whom  the  words  of  God  came,  and  you 
admit  that  the  Scriptures  cannot  be  gainsaid, 
how  can  you  say  of  him  whom  the  Father 
sanctified  and  sent  into  the  world,  *  You 
blaspheme '  ?  Is  it  because  I  said,  *  I  am  the 
Son  of  God '  ?  If  I  do  not  do  the  works  of 
my  Father,  do  not  believe  me ;  but  if  I  do  the 
works,  though  you  are  unable  to  believe  me, 
believe  that  the  works,  at  least,  are  of  God.  If 
you  believe  even  this  you  will  come  to  under- 
stand the  oneness  of  the  Father  of  Love  and 
his  own  Love  Thought.  You  will  come  to 
know  that  the  Father  is  in  me  and  that  I  am 
in  the  Father." 

Again  they  tried  to  seize  him,  but  he  slipped 
away  out  of  their  hands  and  this  time  went 
away  beyond  the  Jordan  into  the  region  where 
John  the  Baptist  began  his  preaching ;  and 
there  he  abode.  Many  who  came  to  him  said, 
"  John  indeed  gave  no  sign  of  power,  but  all 
that  he  spake  of  this  man  has  come  true,"  and 
many  believed  in  him. 

THERE  was  brought  to  him  a  man  pos- 
sessed of  a  demon  that  was  also  blind  and 
dumb.  Jesus  healed  him  so  that  he  could  see 
and  speak  intelligently.  The  multitude  were 
amazed  and  said,  "  This  man  is  more  than  a  nat- 


Matthew  xii.  22-32;  Mark  iii.  22-30  ;  Luke  xi.  14-23. 


158  The  Good  News 

ural  descendant  of  David."  But  when  the  Phar- 
isees heard  it  they  said, "  The  only  way  that  this 
man  can  cast  out  demons  is  by  Beelzebub,  the 
prince  of  demons."  Jesus  could  read  their 
thoughts,  so  he  said  to  them :  "  How  can  Satan 
cast  out  Satan?  If  a  kingdom  is  divided 
against  itself  it  cannot  stand.  If  a  family  is 
divided  it  will  ruin  itself.  If  Satan  is  divided 
against  himself,  how  can  his  kingdom  stand  ? 
You  say  that  I  cast  out  demons  by  Beelzebub. 
All  right,  but  your  sons  are  casting  out  demons ; 
by  whom  do  they  cast  them  out  ?  Let  them 
bear  witness. 

"  When  a  strong  man  fully  armed  guards  his 
house  his  goods  are  safe.  Another  cannot  enter 
his  house  and  take  his  goods  without  first  bind- 
ing the  strong  man.  But  when  one  comes  who 
is  stronger,  then  the  stronger  will  bind  the  other 
and  take  his  armor  wherein  he  trusted  and  carry 
off  his  goods.  If  I  by  the  power  of  Love  cast 
out  demons,  it  is  because  the  Father  of  Love  is 
stronger  than  evil ;  and  the  supremacy  of  the 
Spiritual  Law  of  Love  is  demonstrated  before 
you. 

"  He  that  is  not  with  me  is  against  me,  and 
he  that  does  not  gather  with  me  is  scattering. 
The  sons  of  men  may  commit  many  sins  and 
they  will  be  forgiven  ;  but  when  a  man  charges 
the  Son  of  man  with  being  in  league  with  an 
unclean  spirit  he  is  blaspheming  the  Love  Yi- 


Farewell  to  Galilee  159 

tality  that  is  in  him,  and  for  this  there  is  never 
forgiveness ;  he  is  guilty  of  an  eternal  sin." 

WHILE  he  was  saying  these  things  a  woman 
in  the  crowd  spoke  up  and  said,  "  Blessed  is  the 
woman  that  bore  you."  But  Jesus  said, "  Much 
more  blessed  are  they  that  are  sensitive  to  the  call 
of  the  Father  of  Love  and  trustingly  obey  him." 

Then  some  Pharisees  and  scribes  that  were 
present  again  urged  Jesus  to  show  some  sign  of 
his  authority.  Jesus  replied :  "  This  is  an  evil 
and  a  faithless  generation,  forever  seeking  after 
a  sign ;  but  no  warning  shall  be  given  them,  but 
the  sign  of  the  prophet  Jonah.  Just  as  Jonah 
was  three  days  and  three  nights  in  the  whale's 
belly  as  a  warning  to  the  Ninevites,  so  shall 
the  Son  of  man  be  three  days  in  the  grave  as  a 
sign  to  this  generation.  The  men  of  Nineveh 
shall  condemn  this  generation  in  the  day  of 
judgment,  for  they  repented  at  the  preaching 
of  Jonah,  but  now  a  greater  than  Jonah  is  here. 
The  Queen  of  Sheba  shall  condemn  this  genera- 
tion, for  she  came  from  the  ends  of  the  earth  to 
hear  the  wisdom  of  Solomon  and  here  is  One 
greater  than  Solomon." 

A  PHAKISEE  asked  Jesus  to  dinner  and  he 
went  in  with  him  and  sat  at  table.  The  Pharisee 


Matthew  xii.  38-42 ;  Luke  xi.  27-32. 
Matthew  xii.  43-45  ;  Lukexi.  24-26,  37-41. 


160  The  Good  News 

noticed  that  he  did  not  wash  his  hands  before 
eating  and  Jesus,  who  could  read  his  thoughts, 
said :  "  You  Pharisees  are  very  particular  to 
cleanse  the  outside,  but  within  you  are  full  of 
extortion  and  wickedness.  How  foolish  you 
are !  Did  not  he  that  made  the  outside  make 
the  inside  also  ?  If  you  cleanse  the  inner  life, 
all  will  be  wholly  clean.  The  way  to  cleanse 
the  inner  life  is  to  learn  to  be  generous  with 
the  things  that  you  have;  learn  to  follow  the 
Law  of  Love,  and  you  will  be  surprised  to  see 
how  quickly  all  becomes  clean.  But  you 
must  watch  for  one  thing.  "When  an  unclean 
spirit  has  gone  out  of  a  man,  he  wanders  about 
in  a  dry  land,  seeking  rest  and  finding  none. 
He  recalls  how  comfortable  his  old  tenement 
was  and  says  to  himself,  '  I  will  return  to  the 
old  place.'  When  he  comes  to  it,  he  finds  it 
swept  and  clean.  Then  he  goes  and  invites  seven 
other  spirits  more  wicked  than  himself  and  to- 
gether they  enter  and  take  possession.  In  the 
end  that  man's  condition  is  worse  than  it  was  at 
first." 

WHEN  Jesus  left  the  house  one  of  those  wait- 
ing outside  came  to  him  and  said :  "  Master, 
will  you  make  my  brother  divide  the  inheritance 
with  me  ?  "  Jesus  replied :  "  Man,  who  made 


Lake  xii.  13-21. 


Farewell  to  Galilee  161 

me  a.  referee  over  your  affairs  ?  Be  careful  to 
keep  yourself  from  covetousness,  for  a  man's 
life  does  not  consist  in  the  abundance  of  the 
things  that  he  possesses.  Let  me  tell  you  a  par- 
able. 

"Once  there  was  a  rich  man  whose  estate 
produced  abundantly.  He  reasoned  to  himself, 
saying, '  "What  shall  I  do  ?  I  do  not  have  room 
enough  to  store  my  harvests.  I  will  pull  down 
my  barns  and  build  larger  ones  where  I  can 
store  away  my  grain  and  my  property.  I  will 
congratulate  my  soul  and  say,  "  Soul,  you  have 
ample  store  for  years  to  come.  Now  is  the 
time  for  you  to  take  your  ease,  eat,  drink  and 
be  merry." ' 

"  But  the  Father  of  Love  said  to  him, '  You 
foolish  one.  This  night  your  life  will  be  re- 
quired of  you ;  and  whose  will  be  the  things  that 
you  have  in  store  ? '  So  is  every  one  that  lays 
up  treasure  for  himself  and  has  no  riches  in  the 
keeping  of  the  Father  of  Love." 

AFTERWARDS  being  alone  with  his  dis- 
ciples he  said  :  "  Do  not  be  afraid,  my  little  flock. 
It  is  your  Father's  good  pleasure  to  give  you  the 
riches  of  the  Spiritual  Realm.  Sell  the  things 
that  you  have  and  give  to  the  needy.  Make 
for  yourselves  purses  that  do  not  grow  old ;  lay 

Matthew  zxiv.  45-51 ;  Luke  xii.  32-48. 


162  The  Good  News 

up  your  treasure  in  the  Spiritual  Realm  where 
it  will  be  perfectly  safe,  where  thieves  never 
enter  and  where  moths  never  destroy ;  for 
where  your  treasure  is,  there  will  your  heart 
be  also. 

"  Have  your  clothing  on  and  the  lamps  burn- 
ing. Be  like  servants  who  are  expecting  the 
return  of  their  master,  so  that  when  he  knocks 
they  will  be  ready  to  open  the  door.  Blessed 
are  those  servants  whom  their  master,  when 
he  returns,  finds  watching.  He  will  be  glad  to 
have  them  sit  down  to  their  supper  while  he, 
himself,  waits  on  them.  If  the  master  of  the 
house  knew  when  the  thief  would  come,  he 
would  watch  and  not  let  his  house  be  broken 
into.  You  must  be  ready,  also,  for  in  an  hour 
when  you  least  expect  him,  the  Son  of  man 
will  come." 

Peter  said,  "  Master,  are  you  speaking  this 
parable  to  us  especially,  or  is  it  meant  for  every 
one  ?  "  Jesus  replied,  "  Who  then  is  the  faith- 
ful and  wise  steward,  whom  his  master  shall 
set  over  his  household  to  deal  out  the  supplies  ? 
Blessed  is  that  servant  whom  his  master,  when 
he  returns,  finds  so  employed.  He  is  the  kind 
of  servant  that  he  will  promote  to  the  highest 
place. 

"  But  if  the  servant  shall  say  in  his  heart, '  the 
master  will  be  late  in  returning,'  and  begins  to 
beat  the  other  servants  and  to  eat  and  drink  to 


t 

Farewell  to  Galilee  163 

excess,  the  master  will  be  sure  to  come  when 
he  is  least  expected  and  will  punish  that  un- 
faithful servant  and  put  him  among  those  that 
he  cannot  trust. 

"  The  servant  that  knew  his  master's  orders, 
but  failed  to  carry  them  out,  will  be  beaten 
with  many  stripes.  But  the  servant  that  was 
ignorant  of  the  master's  wishes  and  then  un- 
wittingly did  something  worthy  of  punishment, 
will  be  punished  lightly.  From  him  to  whom 
much  is  given  much  will  be  expected  and  from 
him  to  whom  much  has  been  entrusted  much 
will  be  required." 

WHEN  he  was  with  the  multitude  again  he 
said,  "  When  you  see  a  cloud  rising  in  the  west, 
you  say  at  once  there  is  a  shower  coming,  and 
so  it  happens.  When  you  notice  a  south  wind 
blowing,  you  say  there  will  be  a  scorching  heat, 
and  so  it  happens.  Oh,  you  pretenders !  You 
know  how  to  read  the  face  of  the  sky  and  the 
earth,  but  you  pay  no  attention  to  the  signs  of 
the  times.  You  do  not  know  even  how  to 
judge  between  yourselves,  but  must  bring  your 
adversary  to  the  court.  If  you  were  wise,  you 
would  settle  these  disputes  as  they  arise,  lest 
the  judge  decide  against  you  and  you  are  cast 
into  prison  where  you  will  have  to  pay  the  full 
penalty." 

Luke  xii.  54-59. 


164  The  Good  News 

SOME  one  told  Jesus  about  the  Galileans, 
whose  blood  Pilate  mingled  with  their  sacri- 
fices. Jesus  said  to  them,  "  Do  you  think  that 
these  Galileans  were  any  more  sinners  than  the 
rest  because  they  suffered  these  things  ?  I  tell 
you,  no !  and  unless  you  repent  you  will  all  per- 
ish. How  about  the  eighteen,  upon  whom  the 
tower  of  Siloam  fell  and  killed  them  ?  Do  you 
think  that  they  were  offenders  above  all  the 
rest  that  dwell  in  Jerusalem  ?  I  tell  you,  no ! 
But  unless  you  repent  you  will  all  perish." 

Then  Jesus  spoke  this  parable.  "  A  man  had 
a  fig  tree  in  his  garden  and  at  the  right  season 
came  to  get  the  fruit,  but  found  none.  He  said 
to  the  gardener :  4 1  have  come  these  three  years 
to  get  fruit  from  this  fig  tree  and  have  never 
found  any.  Cut  it  down ;  why  should  it  be  in 
the  way  of  better  trees  ? '  The  gardener  said : 
'  Let  it  stay  this  year  and  I  will  dig  about  it 
and  give  it  some  manure.  If  it  then  bears  fruit 
well  and  good,  but  if  not,  we  will  cut  it  down.' ): 

ONE  Sabbath  Jesus  was  teaching  in  one  of 
the  synagogues,  and  a  woman  was  present  who 
had  been  a  confirmed  invalid  for  eighteen  years. 
She  was  bent  over  and  could  not  straighten  her- 
self. Jesus  noticed  her  and  laid  his  hands  on 
her,  saying,  "  Woman,  you  are  free  from  your 


Luke  xiii.  1-9. 
Luke  xiii.  10-17. 


Farewell  to  Galilee  165 

infirmity."  Immediately  she  stood  up  erect 
and  glorified  God. 

The  president  of  the  synagogue  was  indignant 
that  Jesus  should  have  done  it  on  the  Sabbath. 
He  said  to  the  people :  "  There  are  six  days  in 
which  men  ought  to  work.  If  you  want  to  be 
healed  you  should  come  on  one  of  these  days 
and  not  come  on  the  Sabbath." 

But  Jesus  answered  him,  "  Oh,  you  humbug ! 
Would  not  any  one  of  you  unloose  his  ox  on 
the  Sabbath  day  and  lead  him  to  water? 
Here  is  a  daughter  of  Abraham,  whom  Satan 
has  bound  these  eighteen  years ;  ought  she  not 
to  be  freed  even  if  it  is  the  Sabbath  day  ? " 
His  adversaries  were  put  to  shame,  but  the 
people  rejoiced  to  see  all  the  wonderful  things 
that  he  was  doing. 

DAY  by  day  Jesus  went  from  village  to 
village  teaching  and  healing  the  sick.  One 
day  some  one  asked  him  if  it  was  true  that 
only  a  few  were  to  be  saved.  Jesus  replied : 
"You  must  strive  to  enter,  for  the  door  is 
narrow  and,  I  tell  you  seriously,  only  a  few  of 
the  many  who  would  like  to  enter  will  be  able 
to  do  so. 

"  The  time  will  come  when  the  Master  of  the 
house  will  close  the  door  and  then  those  of  you 


Luke  xiii.  22-30. 


166  The  Good  News 

who  are  without  will  gather  and  knock,  saying, 
( Lord,  open  to  us.'  The  Master  of  the  house 
will  say  to  you,  *  I  do  not  recognize  you.'  You 
will  answer, '  Why,  we  used  to  eat  and  drink 
with  you  and  you  taught  in  our  streets.'  But 
the  Master  will  say,  '  I  do  not  recognize  you, 
go  away,  you  are  wicked  men.' 

"  There  will  be  anguish  of  heart  when  you 
see  Abraham  and  Isaac  and  Jacob  and  all  the 
prophets  resting  in  the  Spiritual  Kealm  and 
yourselves  shut  out.  Others  will  come  from 
the  East  and  West  and  the  North  and  South 
and  will  rest  with  them  in  the  Spiritual  Realm. 
There  are  those  that  seem  to  be  last  now  who 
will  be  first  then,  and  some  who  seem  to  be 
first  now  will  be  last  then." 

SOME  Pharisees  came  to  Jesus  and  warned 
him  that  Herod  would  be  only  too  glad  to 
have  him  killed,  and  advised  him  to  leave  that 
part  of  the  country.  Jesus'  reply  to  them  was, 
"  Go  and  tell  that  sly  fox  that  I  propose  to  cast 
out  demons  and  heal  sick  people  to-day  and  to- 
morrow and  the  third  day  my  work  will  be 
finished.  I  will  journey  on  to-day  and  to- 
morrow and  the  day  following  I  shall  be  in 
Jerusalem,  for  it  would  not  do  for  a  prophet 
to  perish  outside  the  city." 


Luke  xiii.  31-33. 


Farewell  to  Galilee  167 

ONE  Sabbath  Jesus  was  invited  to  the  house 
of  a  prominent  Pharisee  to  dine  with  him  and, 
as  usual,  they  were  on  the  watch  for  something 
that  they  could  bring  up  against  Jesus  later  on. 

Among  those  that  crowded  into  the  court 
was  a  man  suffering  from  dropsy  and  when 
Jesus  saw  him  he  asked  the  chief  lawyers  and 
Pharisees,  "  Is  it  lawful  to  heal  on  the  Sabbath, 
or  not  ?  "  As  they  kept  silent,  Jesus  took  the 
sick  man  and  healed  him  and  let  him  go.  Then 
he  said  to  them,  "  If  one  of  you  had  a  son  who 
fell  into  a  pit  on  the  Sabbath,  would  you  not 
get  him  out  as  quickly  as  possible  ? "  The 
Pharisees  remained  silent  as  there  was  nothing 
to  say. 

Jesus  noticed  that  the  guests  at  the  dinner 
were  anxious  to  secure  the  best  seats  and  so  he 
told  them  a  parable.  "  If  any  one  invites  you 
to  a  marriage  feast  do  not  sit  down  in  the  most 
prominent  seat,  because  it  may  happen  that  a 
more  important  man  has  been  invited  and  the 
host  will  be  obliged  to  come  to  you  and  ask 
you  to  give  up  your  seat.  You  will  feel  very 
much  ashamed  then  to  have  to  take  a  back 
seat. 

"  When  you  are  invited  to  a  feast  it  is  very 
much  better  to  take  a  poorer  seat  and  then 
when  the  host  notices  it,  he  will  come  to  you 

Luke  xiv.  1-24. 


168  The  Good  News 

and  say,  '  My  friend,  you  must  come  and  sit  by 
me,'  and  you  will  be  honored  before  them  all. 
For  every  one  that  exalts  himself  will  be  put 
to  shame  and  every  one  that  humbles  himself 
will  be  exalted." 

Jesus  turned  to  his  host  and  said,  "When 
you  give  a  feast  you  ought  not  to  invite  your 
special  friends,  or  relatives,  or  rich  neighbors, 
for  they  will  in  turn  invite  you  and  it  will  be 
simply  an  exchange ;  you  will  lose  the  privilege 
and  the  pleasure  of  giving. 

"  When  you  give  a  feast  invite  the  poor,  the 
defective,  the  lame,  and  the  blind.  Then  you 
will  be  blessed,  for  they  will  have  nothing  with 
which  to  repay  you,  and  your  recompense  will 
come  in  being  fitted  to  transcend  this  natural 
life  and  to  enter  the  higher  Spiritual  Life  of 
the  good." 

One  of  the  guests,  when  he  heard  this,  said, 
"  The  man  is  blest  indeed  that  shall  enter  the 
Spiritual  Kealm."  Jesus  turned  to  him  and 
related  the  following  parable. 

"  There  was  a  man  once,  who  made  a  great 
banquet  to  which  he  invited  many.  As  the 
time  drew  near  he  sent  his  servants  to  bid  them 
come,  for  everything  was  ready.  With  one 
consent  they  all  began  to  make  excuse.  The 
first  said,  '  I  have  bought  a  field  and  must  go 
to  see  it.  Will  you  please  excuse  me.'  An- 
other said,  '  I  have  bought  five  yoke  of  oxen 


Farewell  to  Galilee  169 

and  must  go  to  try  them.  You  must  excuse 
me.'  Still  another  said, '  I  have  married  a  wife 
and  therefore  cannot  come.' 

"  Then  the  host  was  angry  and  said  to  the 
servants,  *  Go  out  quickly  into  the  streets  and 
the  courts  of  the  city  and  bring  in  the  poor 
and  the  defective  and  the  lame  and  the  blind.' 
The  servants  soon  returned  and  reported  that 
it  had  been  done  and  still  there  was  room. 
Then  the  host  told  the  servants  to  go  out  into 
the  highways  and  persuade  any  one  to  come  in, 
in  order  that  the  tables  might  be  filled.  I  tell 
you  not  one  of  the  invited  guests  who  failed  to 
come  shall  have  a  second  chance  to  a  seat  at 
my  table." 

THERE  were  always  tax  collectors  and 
other  notoriously  wicked  men  about  Jesus  and 
this  led  the  Pharisees  and  scribes  to  complain 
that  Jesus  associated  and  even  ate  with  wicked 
men.  Jesus  knew  what  they  were  thinking, 
and  so  he  told  them  this  parable. 

"  If  one  of  you  had  a  hundred  sheep  and  lost 
one,  would  you  not  leave  the  ninety  and  nine 
to  go  in  search  of  the  missing  one  until  it  was 
found  ?  When  it  was  found  you  would  lay  it 
on  your  shoulders  and  return  rejoicing.  When 
you  reached  home  you  would  call  together 

Lake  xv. 


170  The  Good  News 

your  friends  and  neighbors  and  tell  them 
about  it  and  ask  them  to  rejoice  with  you, 
because  you  had  found  the  sheep  that  was  lost. 
I  want  to  tell  you  that  there  is  just  the  same 
rejoicing  in  the  Spiritual  Kealm  over  one  sinner 
that  repents.  There  is  even  more  joy  over 
him  than  over  the  ninety-nine  good  people 
that  need  no  repentance. 

"  If  a  woman  have  ten  coins  and  lose  one, 
does  she  not  light  a  lamp  and  sweep  the  house 
in  her  search  for  it  ?  And  when  she  finds  it 
she  calls  her  friends  and  neighbors  together 
and  tells  them  about  it  and  asks  them  to  re- 
joice with  her,  because  the  lost  coin  is  found. 
In  just  the  same  way  there  is  joy  among  the 
angels  of  the  Father  of  Love  over  one  sinner 
who  repents." 

JESUS  continued,  "  Once  there  was  a  man 
who  had  two  sons.  The  younger  of  the  sons 
said  to  the  father,  '  Father,  are  you  willing  to 
give  me  now  the  portion  of  your  property  that 
would  fall  to  me  ? '  The  father  was  willing  to 
do  so  and  divided  his  property,  giving  the 
younger  son  his  portion.  Very  soon  after  the 
young  man  sold  off  his  share  and  went  away 
to  a  far  country  and  there  he  wasted  his  money 
in  debauchery. 

"  In  time  he  had  spent  all  that  he  had,  and 
began  to  be  hungry  and  in  utter  want.  Then 


Farewell  to  Galilee  171 

he  hired  himself  out  to  a  farmer,  who  treated 
him  shamefully  and  sent  him  into  the  fields  to 
herd  swine.  Many  a  day  he  would  gladly 
have  eaten  the  pods  that  the  swine  were  eat- 
ing, and  no  one  cared  for  him. 

"At  last  it  came  over  him  what  a  foolish 
son  he  had  been.  He  said :  *  How  many  serv- 
ants of  my  father  have  plenty  to  eat  and  to 
spare,  while  I  am  perishing  with  hunger.  I 
will  return  to  my  father  and  will  tell  him  that 
I  have  sinned  and  have  been  very  foolish.  I 
will  tell  him  that  I  don't  deserve  to  be  called 
his  son  any  more  and  will  ask  him  to  let  me  be 
as  one  of  his  hired  servants.' 

"  So  he  returned  to  his  father,  but  while  he 
was  a  great  way  off  his  father  saw  him  coming 
and  hurried  to  meet  him.  He  gave  him  a  warm 
welcome  because  he  had  always  loved  him. 
The  boy  said  to  him,  *  Father,  I  have  sinned 
and  have  been  very  foolish  and  don't  deserve 

to  be  called  your  son  any  more '  but  the 

father  interrupted  him  by  calling  out  a  servant 
and  telling  him  to  hurry  and  bring  a  new  suit 
of  clothes  and  shoes  and  jewelry.  To  another 
servant  he  said,  '  Go,  prepare  a  feast ;  get  the 
best  things  you  can.  Let  us  eat  and  rejoice, 
for  I  thought  this  boy,  my  son,  was  dead,  and 
he  is  alive.  He  was  lost  and  is  found.'  And 
they  all  rejoiced. 

"While  this  was  happening  the  elder  son 


172  The  Good  News 

was  in  a  distant  field  and  as  he  drew  near  the 
house  on  his  return,  he  heard  the  music  and 
the  rejoicing.  He  called  a  servant  and  asked 
the  meaning  of  it  all  The  servant  said,  '  Your 
brother  has  come  back  and  your  father  has 
provided  a  feast  to  celebrate  his  return  and  to 
show  his  gladness,  because  he  has  received  him 
safe  and  sound.' 

"The  elder  son  did  not  like  it  and  be- 
came angry.  He  refused  to  enter  the  house 
and  so  the  father  came  out  and  urged  him  to 
come  in  and  welcome  his  brother.  But  the 
elder  said  to  his  father,  '  All  these  years  I  have 
stayed  at  home  and  worked  for  you  and  always 
did  whatever  you  commanded  me,  but  you 
never  gave  me  so  much  as  a  kid  that  I  could 
have  a  good  time  with  my  friends.  Now  when 
this  son  of  yours  comes  back,  after  having 
wasted  your  property  with  fast  women,  you 
get  up  a  great  feast  for  him.  It  isn't  fair.' 

"  *  My  son ! '  said  the  father,  *  it  is  true,  you 
have  always  been  with  me  and  all  that  I  have 
will  some  day  be  yours.  But  now  it  is  right 
to  rejoice  and  be  glad,  for  your  brother,  whom 
we  thought  to  be  dead,  is  alive.  He  was  lost 
and  is  found.' " 

THEN  Jesus  told  to  his  disciples  another 
parable.  "  There  was  a  rich  man  who  had  a 

Luke  xvi. 


Farewell  to  Galilee  1 73 

dishonest  steward,  of  whom  it  was  reported 
that  he  was  wasting  the  estate.  So  the  rich 
man  called  for  him  and  said,  '  What  is  this  that 
I  hear  about  you  ?  You  must  give  me  a  state- 
ment of  your  account  as  I  shall  no  longer  re- 
quire your  services.'  The  steward  said  to  him- 
self :  '  What  is  the  best  thing  for  me  to  do  now 
that  I  am  losing  my  position  ?  I  am  not  strong 
enough  to  do  physical  labor  and  I  am  ashamed 
to  beg.  Ah,  I  know  what  I  will  do.  I  will 
make  friends  with  my  master's  debtors  and 
place  them  under  obligation  to  me,  so  that 
when  I  leave  this  position  they  will  receive 
me  into  their  homes.' 

"  So  he  called  for  each  one  of  his  master's 
debtors  and  to  the  first  he  said,  '  How  much  do 
you  owe  my  master  ? '  He  replied,  '  A  hun- 
dred barrels  of  oil.'  The  steward  said,  '  Take 
your  bill  and  change  it  quickly  to  read  fifty 
barrels.'  To  another  he  said,  '  How  much  are 
you  owing  ? '  The  debtor  replied,  '  I  am  owing 
a  hundred  bushels  of  wheat.'  '  Take  your  bill 
and  change  it  to  read  eighty  bushels,'  said  the 
steward. 

"  When  the  rich  man  heard  of  it  he  gave  the 
dishonest  steward  credit  for  the  cleverness  of 
the  fraud." 

Jesus  said,  "Worldly  people  are  often 
shrewder  in  their  way  of  doing  things  than 
are  spiritually-minded  people.  I  give  you  this 


174  The  Good  News 

advice.  You  know  that  wealth  is  a  constant 
source  of  temptation.  You  must  be  very  wise 
and  use  it  in  such  a  way  that  you  will  make 
friends  of  him  who  will  be  able,  when  you  die, 
to  welcome  you  into  the  eternal  mansions. 

"  He  that  is  faithful  in  very  little  things  will 
be  faithful  in  larger  things.  He  that  is  dis- 
honest in  trifling  amounts  will  be  dishonest  in 
larger  sums.  If  you  have  not  been  faithful  to 
your  spiritual  ideals  in  the  use  of  wealth,  who 
will  entrust  to  your  keeping  the  true  riches  ? 

"  If  you  have  not  been  faithful  in  the  use  of 
wealth  that  belongs  to  the  natural  realm,  how 
can  you  be  trusted  with  the  true  riches  of  the 
Spiritual  Kealm,  which  might  be  yours  ?  No 
servant  can  serve  two  masters.  Either  he  will 
hate  the  one  and  love  the  other,  or  else  he  will 
be  faithful  to  one  and  unfaithful  to  the  other. 
You  cannot  serve  the  Father  of  Love  and  the 
god  of  wealth." 

When  the  Pharisees,  who  are  lovers  of  money, 
heard  this  they  jeered  at  him,  and  Jesus  said  to 
them,  "  You  are  the  kind  that  make  a  fair  show 
in  the  sight  of  men,  but  the  Father  of  Love 
reads  the  heart  and  he  whom  men  often  exalt 
may  be  detestable  to  Him. 

"  The  Law  and  the  Prophets  were  paramount 
until  the  time  of  John.  From  that  time  the 
Good  News  of  the  Spiritual  Eealm  has  been 
spreading.  Men  are  struggling  to  take  advan- 


Farewell  to  Galilee  175 

tage  of  it  and  are  neglecting  the  old  Law.  But 
it  is  easier  for  the  heavens  and  earth  to  pass 
away  than  for  the  moral  law  to  be  set  aside. 

"THERE  was  once  a  rich  man  who  was 
clothed  in  purple  and  fine  linen  and  who  lived 
sumptuously  every  day.  A  beggar  who  was 
named  Lazarus  and  who  was  covered  with 
loathsome  sores  was  brought  and  left  at  the 
rich  man's  gate.  He  hoped  to  receive  some 
fragments  of  food  from  the  rich  man's  table. 
It  happened  that  the  beggar  died  and  went  to 
heaven  and  the  rich  man  died  and  went  to 
hades. 

"There  in  torment  the  rich  man  lifted  up 
his  eyes  and  afar  off  saw  Lazarus  resting  on 
Abraham's  bosom.  He  cried  out  saying, 
4  Father  Abraham,  have  mercy  on  me.  Send 
Lazarus  to  bring  me  even  a  drop  of  water  on 
the  tip  of  his  finger  to  cool  my  tongue,  for  I 
am  in  anguish  in  this  flame.' 

"  Abraham  said,  *  Remember,  son,  that  you 
received  your  good  things  during  your  lifetime, 
while  Lazarus  was  receiving  evil  things.  Now 
he  is  being  comforted  and  you  are  in  anguish. 
Besides  all  this,  there  is  a  great  gulf  fixed  be- 
tween us,  so  that  no  one  can  cross  from  us  to 
you,  or  from  you  to  us.' 

"  The  rich  man  then  said,  *  I  pray  you,  Father 
Abraham,  that  you  send  to  my  father's  house 


176  The  Good  News 

where  I  have  five  brothers  and  warn  them  lest 
they,  too,  come  to  this  place  of  torment.'  But 
Abraham  said,  *  They  have  Moses  and  the 
Prophets,  let  them  heed  them.'  The  man  re- 
plied, '  Father  Abraham,  they  do  not  pay  any 
attention  to  them,  but  if  one  come  from  the 
dead,  they  will  repent.'  Abraham  said,  '  If 
they  will  not  listen  to  Moses  and  obey  the  Law 
and  the  Prophets,  neither  will  they  be  per- 
suaded though  one  rise  from  the  dead." 

IN  the  town  of  Bethany  there  lived  a  man 
named  Lazarus.  He  was  a  brother  of  the  sis- 
ters Martha  and  Mary,  whom  Jesus  loved,  and 
Mary  was  the  one  who  afterwards  anointed  the 
feet  of  Jesus  with  ointment  and  dried  them 
with  her  hair. 

Lazarus  was  very  sick  and  the  sisters  sent 
word  to  Jesus  saying,  "Master,  our  brother, 
whom  you  love,  is  sick."  When  Jesus  heard 
the  message  he  said,  "  This  sickness  is  not  unto 
death,  but  that  by  it  the  Father  of  Love  may 
be  glorified  and  his  Son  also."  Jesus  remained 
in  the  place  where  he  was  for  two  days  and 
then  said  to  his  disciples,  "  Let  us  return  now 
to  Judea." 

The  disciples  reminded  him  how  short  a  time 
it  was  since  the  Jews  had  sought  to  stone  him 

John  xi.  1-46. 


Farewell  to  Galilee  177 

and  asked  if  he  really  intended  to  return  there. 
Jesus  said,  u  Are  there  not  twelve  hours  of 
daylight  ?  If  a  man  walk  in  the  daytime  he 
will  not  stumble  because  he  has  the  sunlight. 
It  is  only  when  a  man  has  no  inner  light  to  en- 
lighten him  that  he  stumbles." 

Then  he  said,  "  I  am  going  to  see  our  friend 
Lazarus.  He  has  fallen  asleep  and  I  am  going 
to  waken  him."  One  of  the  disciples  said, 
"  If  he  has  fallen  asleep  he  will  probably  re- 
cover." They  had  misunderstood  Jesus'  mean- 
ing. He  spoke  of  his  death,  but  they  thought 
that  he  meant  that  he  was  resting  in  sleep. 
Then  Jesus  said  plainly,  "  Lazarus  is  dead  and 
I  am  glad  for  your  sakes  that  I  was  not  there. 
Now  you  will  believe  when  you  see  his  recov- 
ery. Let  us  go  to  him."  Thomas  said  to  the 
other  disciples,  "  Let  us  go  with  him.  Even  if 
he  dies,  we  will  die  with  him." 

WHEN  Jesus  reached  Bethany  they  found 
that  Lazarus  had  been  buried  four  days  and,  as 
Jerusalem  was  only  about  two  miles  distant, 
many  of  the  Jews  had  come  from  there  to 
sympathize  with  Martha  and  Mary  because  of 
the  death  of  their  brother. 

When  Martha  heard  that  Jesus  was  coming 
she  left  Mary  in  the  house  and  went  to  meet 
him.  Martha  said  to  Jesus,  "Master,  if  you 
had  been  here,  my  brother  would  not  have 


178  The  Good  News 

died;  and,  even  now,  I  know  that  whatever 
you  ask  of  God  God  will  give  you." 

Jesus  said  to  her,  "  Your  brother  shall  live 
again."  Martha  said,  "  I  know  that  he  will 
rise  again  in  the  resurrection  at  the  last  day." 
Jesus  said  to  her,  "  Martha,  I  am  the  resurrec- 
tion and  Life.  He  that  trustingly  believes  in 
me,  though  he  die  physically,  yet  shall  he  Live. 
Whoever,  while  he  is  living,  believes  in  me, 
shall  never  lose  his  conscious  existence.  Do 
you  really  believe  this,  Martha  ?  " 

"  Yes,  Master,"  she  said,  "  I  believe  that  you 
are  the  Son  of  God,  the  long  promised  Messiah, 
that  is  to  come  into  the  world."  Then  Martha 
left  him  and  returned  to  the  house  and  whispered 
to  Mary  that  Jesus  had  come  and  had  asked 
for  her.  Mary  left  the  house  at  once  and  went 
to  him.  He  was  still  waiting  just  outside  the 
village  where  he  had  talked  with  Martha. 

The  Jews  who  were  in  the  house,  when  they 
saw  Mary  leave  the  house  hurriedly,  followed 
her,  supposing  that  she  was  going  to  the  tomb 
to  weep.  "When  Mary  came  to  where  Jesus 
was,  she  fell  at  his  feet  weeping  and  said, 
"  Master,  if  you  had  only  been  here,  my  brother 
would  not  have  died." 

"When  Jesus  saw  Mary  and  the  Jews  who 
had  come  with  her  all  weeping,  he  was  greatly 
moved,  and  burst  into  tears.  When  the  Jews 
saw  this,  they  said,  "  See,  what  great  affection 


Farewell  to  Galilee  179 

he  had  for  him ! "  But  some  of  them  said, 
"  Could  not  this  man,  who  was  able  to  open  the 
eyes  of  a  blind  man, — could  he  not  have  pre- 
vented the  death  of  his  friend  ?  "  When  Jesus 
heard  this  he  was  moved  with  indignation  that 
their  belief  should  be  wholly  neutralized  by 
doubt.  "  Where  have  you  laid  him  ?  "  he  asked. 
They  replied :  "  Come  and  we  will  show  you." 

The  tomb  was  a  cave  and  a  great  stone  lay 
against  the  opening.  Jesus  told  them  to  take 
away  the  stone.  "  But  Master,"  said  Martha, 
"  he  has  been  dead  four  days  and  by  this  time 
the  body  has  begun  to  decay."  Jesus  said  to 
her,  "  Did  I  not  tell  you  that  if  you  would  only 
believe  you  would  see  the  glory  of  the  Father 
of  Love  ?  "  Then  they  took  away  the  stone. 
Jesus  lifted  his  eyes  and  said,  "  Father,  I  thank 
you  for  having  heard  me.  I  knew  that  you 
would  hear  me,  you  always  do,  but  I  thank 
you  especially  because  of  these  standing  here, 
that  they  may  believe  that  you  have  sent  me." 
After  this  word  of  prayer  Jesus  cried  in  a  loud 
voice,  "  Lazarus,  come  forth ! " 

At  once  he  that  was  dead  came  out  of  the 
tomb.  He  came  just  as  he  was,  bound  hand 
and  foot  with  burial  clothes  and  his  face  was 
covered  with  a  towel.  "  Take  away  the  band- 
ages," said  Jesus,  "  and  let  him  move  freely." 

Because  of  this  wonderful  deed  many  of  the 
Jews  that  had  come  to  sympathize  with  Martha 


180  The  Good  News 

and  Mary  believed  in  Jesus,  but  some  of  them 
returned  to  Jerusalem  and  reported  to  the 
Pharisees  the  things  that  Jesus  had  done. 

THE  chief  priests  and  Pharisees  called  a 
council  and  said,  "What  shall  we  do?  This 
man  is  certainly  doing  wonderful  things.  If 
we  permit  him  to  continue,  every  one  will 
believe  on  him  and  the  Romans  will  come  and 
destroy  our  city  and  our  nation."  Caiaphas, 
the  high  priest  that  year,  said,  "  This  is  a  seri- 
ous situation.  It  is  better  for  all  that  one  man 
should  die  for  the  people,  instead  of  the  whole 
nation  being  destroyed."  Strange  to  say  the 
high  priest  by  these  words  had  unconsciously 
made  a  prophecy  that  Jesus  was  to  die  for  his 
nation  and  not  for  this  nation  only,  but  to 
gather  together  the  scattered  children  of  God 
out  of  all  nations. 

From  that  day  they  tried  harder  than  ever 
to  put  Jesus  to  death,  and  because  of  it  Jesus 
did  not  move  about  openly  any  longer  among 
the  Jews,  but  went  away  into  the  country  of 
Ephraim  near  the  wilderness  and  stayed  there 
with  his  disciples. 

JESUS  said  to  his  disciples:  "Offenses  are 
bound  to  happen,  but  woe  to  him  through 


John  xi.  47-54. 
Luke  xvii.  1-10. 


Farewell  to  Galilee  18 1 

whom  they  come.  Every  evil  tends  to  become 
the  cause  of  a  greater  evil.  Woe  to  the  one 
who  starts  an  evil !  Woe  to  him  who  offends 
one  of  these  little  ones  who  is  trying  to  follow 
the  Law  of  Love  1  It  were  better  for  him  that 
a  millstone  were  hung  about  his  neck  and  he 
were  cast  into  the  sea. 

"  Take  heed  to  yourselves.  If  your  brother 
wrong  you,  rebuke  him,  but  do  it  kindly,  and 
if  he  repent  forgive  him.  If  he  wrongs  again 
and  again  always  forgive  him."  The  disciples 
said  to  him,  "  Master,  this  will  be  very  hard  to 
do.  You  must  increase  our  faith."  Jesus  said, 
"  If  you  had  faith  you  could  do  harder  things 
than  that.  You  could  say  to  this  mulberry 
tree,  '  Be  torn  up  and  cast  into  the  sea,'  and  it 
would  be  done. 

"  Nevertheless,  you  must  not  take  credit  to 
yourselves  for  forgiving  those  who  offend  you 
and  repent.  You  are  only  servants  and  ought 
to  be  glad  to  do  as  your  Master  wishes  you  to 
do,  without  expecting  especial  praise  for  doing 
what  is  your  simple  duty.  Supposing  one  of 
you  had  a  servant  who  was  doing  his  regular 
work.  When  he  comes  in  at  night  do  you  say 
to  him,  *  Come  sit  down  to  supper  and  I  will 
wait  on  you '  ?  Not  at  all ;  you  expect  him  to 
first  get  your  supper  and  wait  on  you,  and  then 
afterwards  he  will  get  his  own  supper.  Do 
you  feel  called  upon  to  praise  a  servant  for  do- 


182  The  Good  News 

ing  his  regular  duties  ?  Of  course  not.  So 
you,  when  you  have  done  all  that  Love  re- 
quires, must  still  feel  that  you  are  unprofitable 
servants,  that  you  have  done  only  that  which 
it  was  your  duty  to  do." 

One  day  as  he  was  passing  along  the  borders 
of  Samaria  and  Galilee,  just  as  he  was  entering 
a  village,  he  was  met  by  ten  lepers.  They 
stood  back  from  the  road  and  shouted  as  he 
passed,  "  Jesus,  Master,  have  pity  on  us ! " 
When  Jesus  saw  them  he  was  moved  with 
sympathy  and  told  them  to  report  to  the 
priests.  As  they  went  on  their  way  they 
were  cleansed.  One  of  them,  who,  by  the  way, 
was  a  Samaritan,  when  he  noticed  that  he  was 
cleansed,  immediately  turned  back  and  with  a 
loud  voice  glorified  God.  He  prostrated  him- 
self at  the  feet  of  Jesus  and  thanked  him. 
Jesus  said,  "  Were  there  not  ten  cleansed  ? 
Where  are  the  nine  ?  Was  this  alien  the  only 
one  to  return  and  give  glory  to  the  Father  of 
Love  ?  "  Then  he  turned  to  the  man  and  said, 
"  Get  up  now  and  go  home  ;  your  grateful  faith 
has  healed  you." 

THE  Pharisees  asked  him  one  day  when  the 
Kingdom  of  God  would  come.  Jesus  replied : 


Lake  xvii.  11-19. 
Luke  xvii.  20 ;  xviii.  8. 


Farewell  to  Galilee  183 

"The  Spiritual  Kealm  does  not  come  visibly. 
No  one  can  look  here  or  there  and  see  it,  for 
the  Spiritual  Realm  is  a  higher  order  of  reality 
than  the  natural,  and  is  only  apprehended 
within  you." 

Later  he  talked  freely  with  his  disciples  about 
the  coming  of  the  Spiritual  Realm.  He  said  : 
"  There  will  be  days  when  you  will  long  for 
the  visible  presence  of  the  Son  of  man,  but  it 
will  be  in  vain.  Some  will  say,  *  He  is  here  ! ' 
and  others  will  say,  '  He  is  there,'  but  do  not 
trouble  to  follow  them.  The  presence  of  the 
Son  of  man  in  his  day  will  be  as  intangible  as 
the  flash  of  lightning  that  seems  to  be  in  all 
parts  of  the  sky  at  once. 

"  The  Son  of  man  must  first  suffer  many 
things  and  be  rejected  by  this  generation. 
After  that  the  day  of  the  Son  of  man  will  come 
without  warning.  It  will  be  as  in  the  days  of 
Noah  ;  they  ate,  they  drank,  they  married,  and 
were  given  in  marriage,  until  the  day  that 
Noah  entered  into  the  ark ;  then  the  flood  came 
and  destroyed  them  all. 

"  It  was  just  the  same  in  the  days  of  Lot. 
They  ate,  they  drank,  they  bought,  they  sold, 
they  planted,  they  builded  ;  but  in  the  day  that 
Lot  went  out,  it  rained  fire  and  sulphurous 
vapors  and  destroyed  them  all. 

"  It  will  be  the  same  whenever  the  Son  of 
man  is  revealed.  If  you  seek  to  save  your  life, 


184  The  Good  News 

you  will  lose  it,  but  even  if  you  lose  your  phys- 
ical life  in  trying  to  be  loyal  to  Love,  your 
higher  and  truer  Life  will  be  conserved."  The 
disciples  were  confused  and  alarmed.  They 
said,  "When  will  it  be,  Master?"  Then,  to 
encourage  them  to  pray  and  not  to  be  disheart- 
ened, he  told  them  this  parable. 

"  In  a  city  there  was  a  judge,  who  neither 
respected  man  nor  feared  God.  In  the  same 
city  was  a  widow  who  came  repeatedly  implor- 
ing the  judge  to  protect  her  from  an  enemy 
that  persecuted  her.  For  a  time  he  refused  to 
do  anything,  but  later  on  he  said  to  himself : 
'  Though  1  do  not  fear  God  or  regard  men,  yet 
because  this  woman  continues  to  trouble  me,  I 
will  aid  her,  lest  she  tire  me  all  out  by  her  con- 
tinued coming.' " 

Jesus  said :  "  You  notice  that  the  wicked 
judge  protected  the  woman  that  importuned 
him.  Do  you  not  think  that  the  Father  of 
Love  will  protect  his  elect  that  cry  unto  him 
night  and  day  ?  He  may  seem  to  be  slow  in 
punishing  the  wicked,  but  I  tell  you  he  will 
most  speedily  protect  his  own.  Yet  when  the 
Son  of  man  comes,  how  little  real  faith  he  will 
find  among  men." 

THEN  Jesus  told  them  this  parable,  "  Two 
men  went  up  to  the  temple  to  pray.  One  was 


Luke  xviii.  9-14. 


Farewell  to  Galilee  185 

a  Pharisee  and  one  was  a  publican.  The  Phari- 
see stood  and  said  to  himself, '  God,  I  thank  thee 
that  I  am  not  as  other  men,  extortioners,  adul- 
terers, and  unjust,  or  even  as  this  publican.  I  fast 
twice  a  week  and  I  give  tithes  of  all  that  I  get.' 
"  But  the  publican  stood  far  back  and  would 
not  lift  even  his  eyes  to  the  sky.  He  smote  his 
breast  and  prayed,  '  God,  be  merciful  to  me,  a 
sinner.'  I  tell  you,  this  man  went  away  with 
his  sins  forgiven  rather  than  the  first  man.  For 
every  man  that  exalts  himself  shall  be  humbled 
and  he  that  humbles  himself  shall  be  exalted." 

SOME  "^harisees  came  to  Jesus  and  tried  to 
get  him  to  say  something  for  which  he  could  be 
convicted.  They  asked  him,  "  Is  it  lawful  for 
a  man  to  divorce  his  wife  ?  "  Jesus  said,  "  What 
did  Moses  command  you  ?  "  They  said,  "  Moses 
permitted  a  man  to  separate  from  his  wife  by 
giving  her  a  writ  of  divorcement." 

Jesus  said,  "  He  gave  this  commandment  be- 
cause of  the  stubbornness  of  your  hearts,  but  it 
was  not  so  in  the  beginning  when  the  Father  of 
Love  created  them  male  and  female.  For  this 
reason  a  man  shall  leave  father  and  mother  and 
cleave  to  his  wife  and  the  two  shall  become  as 
one.  What,  therefore,  the  Father  of  Love  has 
joined  together  let  not  man  part  asunder." 


Matthew  xix.  3-12 ;  Mark  x.  2-12. 


i86  The  Good  News 

Later  on  the  disciples  asked  him  privately 
about  it.  Jesus  only  made  it  more  emphatic, 
saying,  "  Whoever  shall  put  away  his  wife  and 
marry  another  commits  adultery ;  and  if  she 
puts  away  her  husband  and  marries  another, 
she  commits  adultery."  His  disciples  said,  "If 
this  is  true,  it  is  better  for  a  man  not  to  marry 
at  all."  Jesus  said, "  It  is  truly  difficult.  Only 
those  who  have  received  grace  to  bear  and  for- 
bear should  marry.  There  are  some  who  are 
disabled  for  marriage  from  birth.  There  are 
some  who  have  been  disabled  by  men,  and  there 
are  those  who  have  disabled  themselves  for  the 
sake  of  the  Spiritual  Life.  But  those  that  are 
able  to  live  up  to  this  standard  should  marry." 

THE  people  began  to  bring  their  little  chil- 
dren to  have  him  put  his  hands  on  them  and 
bless  them,  but  the  disciples  tried  to  prevent  it. 
Jesus  was  quite  displeased  at  this  and  said, 
"  Suffer  the  little  children  to  come  unto  me  and 
forbid  them  not,  for  the  Spiritual  Realm  is  for 
just  such  little  children.  And  I  tell  you 
most  earnestly  that  only  those  that  receive  the 
Spiritual  Realm  in  the  same  childlike  spirit 
shall  enter  in."  Then  he  took  the  little  children 
in  his  arms  and  laid  his  hands  on  their  heads  in 
benediction. 


Matthew  xix.  13-15 ;  Mark  x.  13-16 ;  Luke  xviii.  15-17. 


Farewell  to  Galilee  187 

AS  Jesus  was  passing  along  the  road  a  young 
nobleman  ran  up  to  him  and,  kneeling,  asked 
him,  "  Good  Master,  what  good  deed  shall  I  do 
to  inherit  eternal  life  ? "  Jesus  answered, 
"  Why  do  you  call  me  good,  my  boy  ?  There 
is  One,  only,  who  is  truly  good  and  that  is  the 
Father  of  Love.  If  you  keep  his  commandments 
you  may  enter  into  the  Spiritual  Life." 

The  young  man  asked  him  which  command- 
ments were  most  important.  Jesus  answered : 
"  Thou  shalt  not  kill,  thou  shalt  not  commit 
adultery,  thou  shalt  not  steal,  thou  shalt  not 
bear  false  witness,  honor  thy  father  and  thy 
mother,  and  thou  shalt  love  thy  neighbor  as 
thyself."  The  young  man  said,  "  Master,  all  of 
these  I  have  observed  from  my  youth ;  what  do 
I  yet  lack  ?  " 

Jesus  looked  at  him  and  his  heart  went  out  to 
him  in  love.  "  If  you  honestly  want  to  be  per- 
fect," said  Jesus,  "  you  are  lacking  one  thing. 
Go  and  sell  your  property  and  use  the  money  to 
be  kind  to  the  poor.  Then  your  treasure  will  be 
in  the  Spiritual  Realm,  and  come  and  follow 
me."  When  the  young  man  heard  this,  his 
countenance  fell  and  he  went  away  sorrowful, 
for  he  was  very  rich. 

Jesus  turned  to  his  disciples  and  said,  "  It  is 
very  difficult  for  a  rich  man  to  enter  the  Spiritual 


Matthew  xix.  16-30;  Mark  x.  17-31 ;  Luke  xviii.  18-30. 


i88  The  Good  News 

Kealm.  It  is  easier  for  a  camel  to  pass  through 
the  eye  of  a  needle."  The  disciples  were  amazed 
at  this  saying  and  said,  "Who  then  can  be 
saved  ?  "  Jesus  replied,  "  With  men  it  would 
be  quite  impossible,  but  not  so  with  the  Father 
of  Love.  With  him  all  things  are  possible." 

Peter  said :  "  Master,  we  have  left  all  to  fol- 
low you,  what  shall  be  our  reward  ? "  Jesus 
replied :  "  I  tell  you  most  earnestly  that  every 
one  that  leaves  property,  or  brothers,  or  sisters, 
or  father,  or  mother,  or  native  land,  for  my  sake, 
in  order  to  give  expression  to  the  Love  Thought 
and  to  spread  the  Good  News  of  Salvation 
through  Love,  shall  receive  a  hundred  fold, — 
in  this  life  property  and  country  and  sisters 
and  brothers  and  mother  and  children,  together 
with  persecution,  and  in  the  Spiritual  Kealm 
the  timeless  Life.  But  many  that  are  first 
shall  be  last,  and  the  last  first. 

"  For  the  Spiritual  Realm  is  like  a  landlord 
who  goes  out  early  to  hire  laborers  for  his  vine- 
yard. He  bargains  with  some  for  a  dollar  a  day 
and  sends  them  to  the  vineyard.  About  nine 
o'clock  he  sees  other  men  standing  idle  in  the 
market-place.  He  sends  these  to  work  and 
promises  to  pay  them  what  is  right.  About 
twelve  o'clock  and  about  three  he  does  the  same. 
About  five  o'clock  he  goes  out  and  still  finds 


Matthew  xx.  1-16. 


Farewell  to  Galilee  189 

men  idling  about  the  market-place.  He  asks 
them  why  they  are  not  at  work  and  they  reply 
that  no  one  wants  them.  So  the  landlord  tells 
them  also  to  go  to  work  in  his  vineyard. 

"  "When  evening  has  come,  the  lord  of  the  vine- 
yard tells  his  steward  to  call  the  laborers  and 
pay  them  all  the  same  wage,  the  last  the  same 
as  the  first.  Those  that  were  hired  at  five 
o'clock  received  a  dollar  each  and  all  the  others 
the  same.  When  the  turn  of  those  who  were 
hired  at  the  beginning  of  the  day  came,  they 
supposed  that  they  would  receive  more,  but  they 
too  received  a  dollar  each. 

"  They  began  to  murmur  against  the  landlord 
and  said,  '  These  last  have  worked  but  one  hour 
and  you  have  made  them  equal  with  us  who 
have  worked  all  day  in  the  hot  sun.'  The  land- 
lord replied,  '  Friends,  I  do  you  no  injustice. 
Did  you  not  agree  with  me  to  work  for  the 
dollar  ?  If  I  decide  to  pay  all  alike,  is  it  not 
right  for  me  to  do  so,  considering  that  it  is  my 
own  money  ?  Are  you  irritated  because  I  am 
generous  ? ' " 

So  in  the  Spiritual  Realm  the  first  shall  be 
treated  as  the  last,  and  the  last  as  the  first. 

IN  spite  of  the  opposition  of  the  Jews  at 
Jerusalem,  Jesus  decided  at  attend  the  Pass- 


Matthew  xx.  17-19 ;  Mark  x.  32-34 ;  Luke  xriii.  31-34. 


190  The  Good  News 

over  Feast  and  he  started  on  a  little  ahead. 
His  disciples  were  amazed  at  the  decision  and 
were  frightened.  Jesus  called  them  aside  and 
explained  to  them  again  the  things  that  were 
to  happen  to  him.  He  said:  "We  are  now 
going  up  to  Jerusalem  for  the  last  time,  for 
the  Son  of  man  will  be  delivered  up  to  the 
chief  priests  and  the  scribes.  They  will  con- 
demn him  to  death  and  deliver  him  to  the 
Romans.  They  will  mock  him  and  spit  on 
him.  They  will  scourge  him  and  kill  him,  but 
after  three  days  he  will  reappear."  Still  they 
did  not  appreciate  what  he  was  telling  them. 
It  was  as  though  the  meaning  was  hidden  from 
them. 

THE  disciples  could  not  rid  their  minds  of 
the  common  expectation  that  the  Messiah  would 
reign  in  glory  as  the  head  of  a  restored  Israel. 
If  Jesus  was  to  die,  then  surely  after  his  re- 
appearance he  would  reign  in  glory.  So  sure 
were  they  of  this  that  even  the  mother  of 
James  and  John,  the  sons  of  Zebedee,  came  to 
Jesus  and  said :  "  Teacher,  I  have  a  request  to 
make  of  you  and  I  want  you  to  promise  to  do 
it  for  us."  Jesus  asked  her :  "  What  is  it  that 
you  want  me  to  do  for  you  ?  "  She  said  to 
him :  "  Grant  that  when  you  come  into  your 


Matthew  xx.  20-28;  Mark  x.  35-45. 


Farewell  to  Galilee  191 

glory  that  one  of  my  two  sons  may  sit  on  your 
right  hand  and  the  other  on  the  left." 

Jesus  said  to  them,  "  You  do  not  appreciate 
what  you  are  asking.  Are  you  able  to  drink 
of  the  cup  that  I  must  drink,  or  to  be  baptized 
with  the  baptism  with  which  I  am  to  be 
baptized?"  They  replied  with  confidence, 
"  Yes,  Teacher,  we  are  able."  Jesus  replied, 
"You  shall  indeed  drink  of  the  cup  that  I 
must  drink  and  be  baptized  with  the  same 
baptism,  but  to  sit  on  my  right  hand  and  my 
left  hand  is  not  mine  to  give.  It  is  for  them 
for  whom  it  is  prepared  by  my  Father." 

When  the  other  disciples  heard  about  this 
request  they  were  indignant.  So  Jesus  called 
them  all  to  him  and  said,  "  You  know  that 
among  the  world's  people  the  rulers  lord  it 
over  them  and  their  great  men  exercise  au- 
thority over  them,  but  it  must  not  be  so  among 
you.  Whoever  of  you  desires  to  be  great,  let 
him  become  your  servant,  and  whoever  among 
you  desires  to  be  first  of  all,  let  him  become 
your  slave.  Even  the  Son  of  man  did  not  come 
to  be  waited  upon,  but  came  that  he  might 
serve  others  and  to  give  his  life  a  ransom  for 
many." 

As  they  drew  near  to  Jericho  they  came  near 
a  blind  beggar  named  Bartimaeus  sitting  by  the 


Matthew  xx.  29-34;  Mark  x.  46-52;  Luke  xviii.  35-43. 


192  The  Good  News 

roadside.  He  heard  the  multitude  passing  by 
and  enquired  what  it  meant.  They  told  him 
that  it  was  Jesus  and  the  multitude  that  fol- 
lowed him.  When  he  learned  who  it  was,  he 
cried  out,  "  Lord,  Son  of  David,  have  pity  upon 
me."  Many  scolded  him  and  ordered  him  to 
be  quiet,  but  he  only  redoubled  his  cries,  "Jesus, 
Son  of  David,  have  pity." 

Jesus  stopped  and  asked  that  the  blind 
beggar  be  called  to  him.  They  said  to  the 
blind  man,  "  Cheer  up  and  come  quickly ;  he  is 
calling  you."  The  blind  man  threw  away  his 
garment  and  just  sprang  to  go  to  Jesus.  When 
he  was  near,  Jesus  said  to  him,  "  What  is  it 
you  want  me  to  do  for  you?"  He  replied, 
humbly,  "  Oh  Lord,  open  my  eyes."  Jesus 
was  moved  with  pity  and  softly  touching  his 
eyes  he  said,  "  You  may  go  now ;  your  faith  has 
made  you  whole."  Immediately  he  received 
his  sight  and  followed  Jesus  glorifying  God. 
And  all  the  multitude,  as  it  became  known, 
joined  him  in  shouting  praises  to  God. 

IN  Jericho  there  was  a  man  of  small  stature, 
named  Zacchseus,  who  was  the  chief  tax  collector 
and  very  rich.  He  wanted  to  see  what  kind 
of  a  man  Jesus  was  and  tried  to  do  so,  but  the 
crowd  was  so  dense  that  he  was  unable  to  get 

Luke  xix.  1-10. 


Farewell  to  Galilee  193 

near  enough.  So  he  ran  ahead  and  climbed  up 
into  a  sycamore  tree,  where  he  could  see  him 
as  he  passed  by. 

When  Jesus  came  to  the  place  he  looked  up 
and  said  to  him,  "  Zacchseus,  come  down  quickly 
for  I  would  like  to  stay  at  your  house  to-day." 
Zacchaeus  came  down  at  once  and  received 
Jesus  joyfully.  When  the  crowd  knew  about 
it,  they  were  shocked  because  he  had  gone 
in  to  stay  with  a  man  who  was  notoriously 
wicked.  But  Zacchaeus  was  not  so  bad  as 
they  thought  him  to  be,  for,  after  he  had 
talked  with  Jesus,  he  said,  "  Lord,  I  want  to  do 
what  is  right.  I  will  give  half  my  income  to 
the  poor  and  if  I  have  collected  taxes  unjustly 
from  any  one,  I  will  pay  back  the  excess  four- 
fold." 

Jesus  said  to  him,  "  Zaccha3us,  you  are  a  true 
son  of  Abraham.  This  day  salvation  has  come 
to  your  house.  For  the  Son  of  man  came  to 
seek  and  to  save  that  which  is  lost." 

AS  Jesus  drew  near  Jerusalem  it  was  evident 
that  the  people  were  expecting  an  immediate 
manifestation  of  the  Kingdom  of  God ;  so  he 
told  them  this  parable. 

"  A  certain  nobleman  went  to  a  far  country 
to  secure  the  appointment  as  king  of  his  state, 

Luke  xix.  11-28. 


194  The  Good  News 

intending  to  return  as  soon  as  it  was  secured. 
He  called  together  ten  of  his  retainers  and 
gave  them  ten  dollars  each,  telling  them  to  use 
the  money  in  trade  until  his  return.  Some 
of  his  fellow  countrymen  did  not  want  him  to 
be  their  king  and  sent  representatives  to  pro- 
test against  his  appointment,  saying  that  they 
did  not  want  this  man  to  rule  over  them. 

"  In  the  course  of  time  he  received  the  ap- 
pointment in  spite  of  their  opposition  and  re- 
turned to  ascend  the  throne.  He  first  called 
before  him  the  ten  retainers  to  whom  he  had 
given  the  money,  in  order  that  he  might  know 
which  were  the  ones  that  were  worthy  of 
larger  responsibility.  The  first  came  before 
him  and  said,  '  My  Lord,  your  ten  dollars  have 
earned  a  hundred  more.'  The  king  said  to 
him,  '  "Well  done.  You  are  a  good  servant. 
You  have  proven  faithful  in  a  very  little  ;  you 
may  have  authority  over  ten  cities.'  A  second 
came  and  said,  '  Your  ten  dollars,  my  Lord, 
have  made  fifty.'  The  king  commended  him 
also,  and  said,  '  You  may  have  rule  over  five 
cities.' 

"  Then  one  came  who  said,  *  My  Lord,  here 
are  your  ten  dollars  which  I  have  kept  safely. 
I  knew  you  to  be  a  hard  man,  taking  up  what 
you  did  not  lay  down  and  reaping  where  you 
did  not  sow,  and  I  was  afraid  that  I  might  lose 
it.'  The  king  was  angry  and  said,  *  Let  your 


Farewell  to  Galilee  195 

own  words  convict  you.  You  say  that  you 
knew  that  I  was  a  hard  man,  reaping  where  I 
did  not  sow.  Then  you  should  have  placed 
the  money  with  the  bankers  so  that  on  my  re- 
turn I  would  have  received  the  money  with 
interest,  at  least.  You  are  not  to  be  trusted.' 

"  Then  he  commanded  his  servants  to  take 
the  money  from  him  and  give  it  to  the  one 
who  had  made  the  hundred  dollars.  They 
said  to  the  king,  '  Lord,  have  you  forgotten 
that  he  already  has  a  hundred  dollars  ? '  The 
king  replied,  '  To  every  one  that  has  shall  be 
given,  but  from  him  that  has  not  shall  be  taken 
the  little  that  he  has.'  Then  he  gave  orders 
that  his  enemies  who  had  tried  to  prevent  his 
appointment  should  be  arrested  and  publicly 
executed." 

"THE  Spiritual  Realm  is  like  a  rich  man 
going  to  a  far  country.  Before  he  goes  he 
calls  his  subordinates  and  puts  his  property  in 
their  charge,  giving  to  each  according  to  his 
ability.  To  one  he  gave  fifty  thousand  dollars, 
to  another  he  gave  twenty  thousand,  and  to 
another  ten  thousand  ;  and  then  he  left  them. 

"At  once  the  one  who  had  received  fifty 
thousand  dollars  went  to  work  and  invested  it 
and  made  another  fifty  thousand.  The  one 


Matthew  xxv.  14-30. 


196  The  Good  News 

that  had  received  twenty  thousand  did  the 
same  and  he  made  another  twenty  thousand. 
But  the  one  who  had  received  ten  thousand 
went  and  buried  it  where  it  would  be  safe. 

"After  a  time  the  rich  man  returned  and 
called  on  his  subordinates  for  a  report.  The 
one  who  had  received  fifty  thousand  dollars 
brought  a  hundred  thousand  and  said,  'Sir, 
you  gave  me  fifty  thousand  dollars  and  I  have 
gained  another  fifty.  Here  they  are.'  The 
rich  man  said  to  him,  *  Well  done,  good  and 
faithful  servant.  You  have  been  faithful  in  a 
small  trust,  I  will  give  you  authority  over  a 
larger.  Welcome  into  partnership.' 

"  He  that  had  received  twenty  thousand  also 
brought  what  he  had  received  and  had  gained, 
and  said,  '  Sir,  I  have  gained  another  twenty 
thousand.'  The  rich  man  said  to  him  also, 
'Well  done,  good  and  faithful  servant.  You 
have  been  faithful  in  a  small  trust,  I  will  give 
you  authority  over  a  larger  one.  Welcome 
into  partnership.' 

"  Then  he  that  had  received  only  ten  thou- 
sand dollars  said,  '  Sir,  I  knew  you  to  be  a 
hard,  grasping  employer,  reaping  where  you 
did  not  sow  and  gathering  where  you  did  not 
risk.  I  was  afraid  of  losing  the  money  ;  so  I 
put  it  where  it  would  be  safe.  Here  it  is,  all 
that  you  gave  me.'  The  rich  man  said,  '  You 
wicked  and  lazy  servant !  You  knew  that  I 


Farewell  to  Galilee  197 

reaped  where  I  did  not  sow,  did  you?  and 
gathered  where  I  did  not  risk?  Then  you 
ought  to  have  placed  my  money  with  the 
bankers,  so  that  on  my  return  I  would  have 
received  my  own  with  interest,  at  least. 

" '  I  will  take  this  money  away  from  you  and 
give  it  to  him  who  has  the  fifty  thousand,  for 
to  every  one  that  has  shall  be  given  and  he 
shall  have  an  abundance.  But  from  him  that 
has  but  little,  even  that  little  shall  be  taken 
away.  You  are  an  unprofitable  servant ;  your 
services  are  no  longer  required.'  " 

THE  Passover  Feast  was  now  near  at  hand 
and  a  great  many  people  from  the  surrounding 
country  went  up  to  Jerusalem  before  the  Feast 
to  purify  themselves.  As  they  stood  about  the 
temple  there  were  many  questions  asked  about 
Jesus.  "Would  he  come  to  the  Feast  or  not  ? 
The  chief  priests  and  Pharisees  had  already 
given  commandment  that,  if  any  one  knew 
where  Jesus  was,  they  must  make  it  known,  so 
that  he  could  be  arrested. 

Six  days  before  the  feast  Jesus  came  to  Beth- 
any and  was  invited  to  a  supper  in  the  house 
of  Simon,  the  leper.  Lazarus,  whom  Jesus  had 
raised  from  the  dead,  was  one  of  the  guests  and 
Martha,  his  sister,  was  one  that  served. 


Matthew  xxvi.  6-13 ;  Mark  xiv.  3-9 ;  John  xi.  55-57  ; 
xii.  1-11. 


198  The  Good  News 

While  Jesus  sat  at  the  table,  Mary,  the  other 
sister  of  Lazarus,  brought  an  alabaster  cruse  of 
fragrant  oil  of  spikenard,  that  was  very  costly, 
and  anointed  his  feet  with  it  and  the  room 
was  filled  with  its  fragrance.  Some  of  the  dis- 
ciples were  indignant  at  what  seemed  to  them 
an  unnecessary  waste.  Judas  Iscariot,  the  dis- 
ciple who  later  betrayed  Jesus,  said,  "This 
ointment  could  have  been  sold  for  fifty  dollars 
and  the  money  given  to  the  poor."  He  said 
this,  not  because  he  cared  very  much  for  the 
poor,  but  because  he  carried  the  money  of  the 
disciples  and  was  in  the  habit  of  stealing  from 
it  from  time  to  time. 

Jesus,  hearing  their  comments,  said  to  them, 
"  Do  not  blame  her ;  she  has  done  a  kindness 
to  me.  She  has  anointed  me  in  anticipation  of 
my  burial.  You  will  always  have  the  poor 
among  you  and  you  can  aid  them  at  any  time, 
but  I  will  be  with  you  only  a  short  time. 
Wherever  this  Good  News  shall  be  told  in  all 
the  world,  this  incident  will  be  repeated  and  it 
will  be  a  memorial  of  this  woman." 


CHAPTER  EIGHT 

TRIUMPHAL  ENTBANCE  INTO  JERUSALEM 
AND  LAST  SUPPEK 

ON  the  morrow,  which  was  the  first  day 
of  the  week,  as  they  passed  through 
Bethany  and  Bethpage  on  the  road 
over  the  Mount  of  Olives  and  drew  near  Jeru- 
salem, Jesus  sent  two  of  his  disciples  ahead  to 
the  village  across  the  valley.  He  said  to  them, 
"  As  you  enter  the  village  you  will  see  a  donkey 
colt  that  has  not  yet  been  used ;  untie  him  and 
bring  him  to  me.  If  any  one  asks  you  why 
you  do  it,  say  to  him,  *  The  Master  wants  him ; ' 
and  he  will  let  you  take  him." 

The  disciples  went  ahead  and  found  the 
donkey  as  Jesus  had  said.  As  they  were  un- 
tying him,  the  owner  asked  them  what  they 
were  doing.  They  said  to  him  as  Jesus  had  in- 
structed them,  and  the  owner  was  glad  to  let 
him  go.  When  they  brought  the  colt  to  Jesus, 
they  placed  their  garments  on  him  and  Jesus 
mounted. 

A  rumor  spread  to  Jerusalem  that  Jesus  was 


Matthew  xxi.  1-11;  Mark  xi.  1-11;  Luke  xix.  29-44; 
John  xii.  12-19. 

199 


2oo  The  Good  News 

coming  to  the  Feast  to  proclaim  his  Messiah- 
ship,  and  a  great  multitude  came  out  to  meet 
him.  "When  they  saw  him  coming  some  spread 
their  garments  in  the  way,  others  broke  off 
branches  of  the  palm  trees,  and  all  those  before 
and  they  that  followed  after  cried  out,  "Ho- 
sanna,  Hosanna  in  the  Highest !  Blessed  is  he 
that  comes  in  the  name  of  the  Lord !  Hosanna 
to  the  Son  of  David !  Blessed  is  the  Kingdom 
that  is  coming!  Blessed  is  the  Kingdom  of 
our  father  David!  Hosanna,  Hosanna  in  the 
Highest ! " 

"When  the  triumphal  procession  came  to  the 
highest  point  on  the  road  over  the  Mount  of 
Olives  and  the  magnificent  city  of  Jerusalem 
came  into  view  across  the  Kedron  Valley,  they 
burst  into  renewed  shouts  of  rejoicing  and 
praises  to  God  for  all  that  they  had  seen  and 
all  they  expected  would  soon  transpire.  "  Ho- 
sanna! Hosanna!  Blessed  is  the  King  that 
comes  in  the  name  of  the  Lord !  Blessed  is 
the  King  of  Israel !  May  Heavenly  Peace  and 
Highest  Glory  be  upon  him !  Hosanna  in  the 
Highest ! " 

Some  of  the  Pharisees  in  the  crowd  nearest 
Jesus  said  to  him,  "  You  better  restrain  your 
disciples."  But  Jesus  replied,  "I  tell  you,  if 
these  men  should  be  silent,  the  very  stones 
would  cry  out." 

As  they  drew  near  the  city,  Jesus  could  not 


Triumphal  Entrance  Into  Jerusalem   201 

hold  back  the  tears.  He  said,  "  Oh  Jerusalem  1 
Jerusalem !  If  you  could  understand — and 
there  is  still  time — the  only  thing  that  makes 
peace  possible.  But  no,  it  is  too  late,  it  is  hid 
from  your  eyes.  The  days  are  coming  when 
your  enemies  will  throw  up  earthworks  and 
battlements  about  you,  hemming  you  in  on 
every  side.  They  will  destroy  your  city.  They 
will  not  leave  one  stone  upon  another  and  even 
your  children  shall  be  slain.  And  all  because 
you  would  not  understand  that  Sovereign  Love 
was  visiting  you." 

As  he  entered  Jerusalem  and  passed  into  the 
temple,  the  city  was  profoundly  stirred  and 
expectant.  Some  asked,  "Who  is  he?"  and 
the  multitude  answered,  "  It  is  the  Galilean 
Prophet,  Jesus  of  Nazareth." 

As  Jesus  entered  the  temple  he  noticed  the 
traders  selling  sheep,  and  oxen,  and  doves,  and 
also  the  money  changers.  He  made  a  minia- 
ture whip  of  small  cords  and  drove  them  all  out 
of  the  temple.  He  overturned  the  tables  of  the 
money  changers  and  scattered  their  coin.  He 
forbade  any  one  carrying  utensils  through  the 
temple.  To  them  that  sold  doves  and  to  all  he 
said,  "  Take  these  things  away ;  you  must  not 
make  my  Father's  house  a  place  of  merchan- 
dise. It  is  written,  '  My  house  shall  be  called 
a  house  of  prayer  for  all  nations.'  You  are 
making  it  a  den  of  robbers." 


2O2  The  Good  News 

"When  the  great  crowd  saw  that  nothing  else 
dramatic  was  going  to  happen,  they  slowly 
dispersed. 

Jesus  healed  the  blind  and  the  lame  that 
came  to  him  and,  when  it  was  late,  he  quietly 
left  the  temple  courts  and  returned  to  Bethany. 

EAKLY  the  next  day,  Monday  morning, 
Jesus  with  his  disciples  returned  to  the  temple 
almost  unnoticed. 

The  chief  priests  and  the  scribes  and  some  of 
the  principal  men  were  very  angry  at  what 
Jesus  had  done  the  day  before  and  sought  ways 
to  kill  him,  but  the  crowds  hung  about  him 
listening  to  his  words,  and  the  children  would 
from  time  to  time  burst  out  into  shouts  of 
"  Hosanna  to  the  Son  of  David." 

They  said  to  Jesus,  "  Are  you  aware  what 
these  children  are  shouting  ?  "  Jesus  replied, 
"  Certainly.  Have  you  never  read  where  it  is 
written,  '  Out  of  the  mouths  of  lobes  <md  suck- 
lings, thou  hast  perfected  praise  '  f  " 

The  Jews  said,  "  What  sign  can  you  show  us 
to  prove  your  authority  for  doing  these  things  ?  " 
Jesus  said,  "  Destroy  this  temple  and  in  three 
days  I  will  restore  it."  The  Jews  said,  "  This 
temple  was  forty-six  years  in  building.  Do  you 


Matthew  xxi.  13-17;  Mark  xi.  15-19 ;  Luke  xix.  45-48; 
John  ii.  13-22. 


Triumphal  Entrance  Into  Jerusalem   203 

mean  to  say  that  you  can  raise  it  up  in  three 
days  ?  "  But  Jesus  was  speaking  of  the  temple 
of  his  body  and  afterwards  when  he  had  reap- 
peared from  the  dead,  they  remembered  that 
he  had  said  it,  and  it  confirmed  their  faith  in 
the  Scriptures  and  in  Jesus. 

As  the  day  drew  to  a  close  Jesus  again  with- 
drew from  the  temple  and  spent  the  night  at 
Bethany. 


ON  Tuesday  morning  Jesus  and  his  disciples 
again  went  to  the  temple.  As  they  passed 
along  the  road  Jesus  said :  "  You  must  have 
more  faith  in  the  Father  of  Love.  It  is  a  law 
of  the  Spiritual  Kealm  that  whatever  you  may 
ask  in  prayer,  believing  in  your  heart  that  it 
will  come,  you  will  receive.  If  you  have  faith 
and  do  not  doubt,  you  can  say  to  this  moun- 
tain, '  Be  taken  up  and  cast  into  the  sea,'  and 
it  will  be  done.  Therefore  I  say  to  you,  what- 
ever you  ask  for  in  prayer,  believe  that  you 
will  receive  it,  and  you  will  receive  it. 

"But  when  you  offer  prayer,  if  you  have  any- 
thing against  any  one,  forgive  him,  so  that  your 
Father  who  is  in  the  Spiritual  Kealm  may  for- 
give you  your  sins." 

When  Jesus  reached  the  temple,  he  walked 


Matthew  xxi.  1S-22  ;  Mark  xi.  12-14,  20-25. 
Matthew  xxi.  23-27  ;  Mark  xi.  27-33 ;  Luke  xx. 


204  The  Good  News 

about  as  usual,  talking  with  the  people  and 
telling  them  the  Good  News.  The  chief  priests 
and  elders  again  came  to  him  and  demanded  to 
know  by  what  authority  he  was  doing  these 
things  and  who  gave  him  the  authority.  Jesus 
said  to  them,  "  I  will  also  ask  you  one  question. 
If  you  answer  me  I  will  tell  you  by  what  au- 
thority I  am  doing  these  things.  The  baptism 
of  John — was  it  from  the  Spiritual  Realm,  or 
was  it  from  men  ?  Answer  me." 

The  chief  priests  and  the  scribes  were  at  a 
loss  how  to  answer.  "  If  we  say  it  was  from 
heaven,  he  will  say,  '  Why  then  do  you  not  be- 
lieve him  ? '  If  we  say  from  men,  we  will  dis- 
please the  multitude,  for  they  all  believe  that 
John  was  a  prophet."  No,  they  dare  not  say 
that,  for  they  were  afraid  of  the  people,  afraid 
that  they  would  stone  them.  So  they  answered 
Jesus,  "We  do  not  know."  Jesus  then  said, 
"  Neither  do  I  tell  you  by  what  authority  I  do 
these  things." 

JESUS  then  told  them  this  parable.  "  Once 
there  was  a  man  who  had  two  sons.  He  said 
to  the  first,  '  Son,  you  must  work  to-day  in  the 
vineyard.'  The  son  said  to  himself,  'I  will 
not,'  but  later  he  changed  his  mind  and  went 
to  work.  The  father  said  to  the  second  son, 


Matthew  xxi.  28-32 ;  Mark  xii.  1-12  ;   Luke  xx.  9-19. 


Triumphal  Entrance  Into  Jerusalem   205 

'  Son,  I  want  you  to  work  to-day  in  the  vine- 
yard.' This  son  said,  *  I  will  do  so,  sir ! '  But 
he  did  not  go.  Now  which  of  these  two  did 
the  will  of  his  father  ?  " 

The  crowd  said,  "  The  first,  of  course."  Jesus 
said :  "  Most  earnestly  I  tell  you  that  publicans 
and  harlots  enter  the  Spiritual  Realm  before 
you.  For  John  came  to  you  pointing  out  the 
way  of  righteousness  and  calling  on  you  to  re- 
spond. You  profess  to  be  obeying  the  com- 
mands of  God,  but  you  have  not  responded  to 
his  call ;  neither  have  you  repented  since.  But 
the  publicans  and  the  harlots,  who  are  sinners, 
have  responded.  Listen,  I  will  tell  you  another 
parable. 

"  There  was  once  a  land  owner  who  planted 
a  vineyard,  put  a  hedge  about  it,  made  a  wine 
press,  and  built  a  watch  tower.  Then  he  rented 
it  to  tenants  and  went  away  to  a  far  country 
for  a  long  time.  "When  the  harvest  season  was 
over,  he  sent  his  servants  to  the  tenants  to  re- 
ceive the  rent.  The  tenants  beat  one,  stoned 
another,  and  killed  another.  Then  the  owner 
sent  other  servants,  more  than  at  first,  and  they 
treated  them  in  the  same  manner. 

"Afterwards  he  sent  his  son,  thinking  that 
they  would  respect  him.  But  when  the  ten- 
ants saw  the  son,  they  said  to  themselves, 
*  This  is  the  heir,  let  us  kill  him  and  take  the 
property.'  So  they  drove  him  out  of  the  vine- 


206  The  Good  News 

yard  and  killed  him.  When  the  owner  of  the 
vineyard  returns,  what  will  he  do  to  those 
tenants  ?  "  They  replied,  "  He  will,  of  course, 
drive  them  out  and  let  the  vineyard  to  other 
tenants,  who  will  pay  the  rent  at  the  proper 
season." 

Jesus  said,  "  Have  you  never  read  in  the 
Scriptures  where  it  says,  '  The  stone  which  the 
builders  rejected  has  become  the  head  of  the 
corner '  ?  Listen,  the  Spiritual  Realm  shall  be 
taken  away  from  you  and  given  to  a  nation 
that  will  appreciate  it." 

The  high  priests  and  the  Pharisees  knew  that 
he  was  referring  to  them.  They  would  gladly 
have  seized  him,  then  and  there,  but  they  were 
afraid,  for  they  knew  that  the  crowd  believed 
him  to  be  a  prophet.  Jesus  continued  to  teach 
them  in  parables. 

"THE  Spiritual  Realm  is  like  a  king  who 
made  a  marriage  feast  for  his  son  and,  when 
all  was  ready,  sent  his  servants  to  call  those 
who  had  been  invited,  but  none  of  them  came. 
Then  he  sent  other  servants,  saying, '  Tell  them 
that  are  invited  that  all  arrangements  are  com- 
pleted, the  beef  and  lamb  are  roasted  and  every- 
thing is  ready,  and  to  come  to  the  marriage 
feast.'  But  they  that  were  invited  made  light 
of  it  and  went  their  several  ways.  This  one 
went  to  his  farm,  that  one  to  his  merchandise. 


Triumphal  Entrance  Into  Jerusalem   207 

Others  laid  hold  of  his  servants  and  made  sport 
of  them,  treating  them  shamefully  and  killing 
some.  Then  the  king  was  angry.  He  sent  his 
soldiers  and  executed  the  murderers  and  burned 
their  city. 

"  Then  he  said  to  his  servants,  *  The  wedding 
feast  is  ready,  but  those  that  have  been  invited 
are  unworthy.  Go,  now,  to  the  public  squares 
and  invite  any  that  you  find  to  come  to  the 
marriage  feast.'  The  servants  did  as  they 
were  ordered  and  gathered  all  that  they  could 
find,  both  good  and  bad,  and  the  banquet  was 
filled  with  guests. 

"  When  the  king  came  in  to  greet  the  guests, 
he  saw  a  man  who  had  come  in  his  working 
clothes.  The  king  said  to  him,  'Friend,  why 
have  you  come  to  the  feast  without  being 
properly  dressed  ?  Is  that  the  way  you  value 
my  invitation  ? '  Then  he  told  his  servants  to 
bind  the  offender  and  to  put  him  out  into  the 
night.  The  invitation  is  to  many,  but  only  a 
few  appreciate  it  and  are  willing  to  meet  the 
conditions." 

AGAIN  the  Pharisees  gathered  together  in 
consultation  to  see  if  there  was  any  way  that 
they  could  catch  Jesus  in  his  words,  so  that 
they  would  have  sufficient  reason  for  delivering 
him  to  the  Koman  officials.  They  decided  to 


Matthew  xxii.  15-40 ;  Mark  xii.  13-34 ;  Luke  xx.  20-40. 


208  The  Good  News 

send  some  of  their  students  to  Jesus  to  ask 
him  certain  questions. 

They  came  to  Jesus  and  said,  "Master,  we 
know  that  you  are  sincere  and  are  teaching  the 
ways  of  God  according  to  your  best  knowledge 
without  regard  to  the  opinion  of  others  or 
fear  of  the  authorities.  Tell  us,  therefore,  is 
it  right  to  pay  taxes  to  Caesar,  or  is  it  not 
right?" 

Jesus  recognized  their  wicked  duplicity  and 
said,  "  Why  do  you  hypocrites  try  to  entrap 
me  ?  Well,  show  me  some  of  the  money  with 
which  you  pay  your  taxes."  They  brought  to 
him  a  Roman  coin  and  Jesus  asked,  "  Whose 
likeness  is  this  and  this  inscription1!"  They 
replied  that  it  was  Caesar's.  "  Then,"  said 
Jesus,  "pay  to  Cassar  what  belongs  to  Caesar 
and  offer  to  the  Father  of  Love  what  belongs 
to  him."  They  were  astonished  at  the  clever- 
ness of  his  reply  and  went  away. 

Then  a  party  of  Sadducees,  who  teach  that 
there  is  no  resurrection,  came  to  him  and  said, 
"  Master,  Moses  wrote  that  if  a  man  die  leaving 
a  widow,  but  no  children,  it  was  the  duty  of 
his  brother  to  marry  the  widow  and  raise  chil- 
dren for  him.  Now  there  was  a  family  of 
seven  brothers.  The  first  married  and  died, 
leaving  the  woman,  but  no  children,  to  his 
brother.  This  brother  died  also  and  the  third 
down  to  the  seventh.  Finally  the  woman 


Triumphal  Entrance  Into  Jerusalem   209 

died.  In  the  resurrection,  whose  wife  will  she 
be?" 

Jesus  replied,  "  You  are  mistaken  as  to  the 
nature  of  the  resurrection.  You  do  not  read 
the  Scriptures  correctly,  nor  do  you  know  the 
power  of  the  Father  of  Love.  Marriage  is  an 
institution  of  this  natural  realm.  They  that 
are  able  to  transcend  this  natural  order  and 
enter  the  Spiritual  Realm,  after  they  enter, 
neither  marry  nor  are  given  in  marriage ;  but 
are  like  the  angels.  They  have  entered  the 
timeless  Life  and  are,  therefore,  no  longer  sub- 
ject to  the  natural  laws  of  birth  and  death. 
Having  been  born  again  of  Love  Vitality,  they 
have  become  children  of  the  Father  of  Love. 

"That  this  is  true  even  Moses  understood, 
for  in  the  account  of  the  burning  bush  he  re- 
ports the  Lord  as  saying,  '  /  am  the  God  of 
Abraham  and  the  God  of  Isaac  and  the  God 
of  Jacob?  The  Father  of  Love  is  not  the  God 
of  the  dead,  but  of  those  that  are  living  in  a 
higher  existence  than  the  natural,  where  all 
have  their  Life  in  him." 

Again  the  multitude  was  astonished  at  the 
wisdom  of  his  reply,  and  the  Pharisees,  when 
they  saw  that  he  had  silenced  the  Sadducees, 
withdrew  for  further  consultation. 

A  LAWYER  who  had  been  listening  to  the 
previous  questions  and  answers  now  came  to 


2io  The  Good  News 

Jesus  and  in  sincerity  asked  him,  "  Master, 
which  of  the  commandments  is  most  im- 
portant ? "  Jesus  said,  "  Thou  shalt  love  the 
Lord  thy  God,  with  all  thy  heart  and  with  all 
thy  soul  and  with  all  thy  mind  and  with  all 
thy  strength.  The  second  is  this,  Thou  shalt 
love  thy  neighbor  as  thyself.  There  are  no 
other  commandments  greater  than  these." 

The  lawyer  replied,  "  Master,  you  have  well 
said.  For  there  is  but  one  God,  and  to  love 
him  with  all  the  heart  and  with  all  the  under- 
standing and  with  all  the  strength  ;  and  for  a 
man  to  love  his  neighbor  as  himself,  is  much 
more  than  all  burnt  offerings  and  sacrifices." 
"When  Jesus  saw  that  he  had  answered  dis- 
creetly, he  said  to  him,  "  You  are  not  far  from 
the  Spiritual  Realm. " 

THEN  Jesus  asked  the  Pharisees  a  question, 
"  What  do  you  think  of  the  Messiah  ?  Whose 
Son  is  he?"  They  replied,  "He  is  to  be  a 
descendant  of  David."  Then  Jesus  said, 
"  David  wrote  of  the  Messiah  under  divine 
inspiration,  when  he  said  in  the  Psalms, 

" '  The  Lord  said  unto  my  Lord, 
8it  thou  on  my  right  hand 
Till  I  put  thy  enemies  under  thyfeeV 


Matthew  xxii.  41-46 ;  Mark  xii.  35-37 ;  Luke  xx.  41-44. 


Triumphal  Entrance  Into  Jerusalem    211 

If  David  called  him  Lord,  how  can  he  be  his 
descendant  ? "  No  one  was  able  to  answer 
him  and  after  this  no  one  had  courage  to  ask 
him  malicious  questions. 


THEN  Jesus  turned  to  the  multitude  and  to 
his  disciples  and  said,  "  The  scribes  and  the 
Pharisees  sit  in  the  seat  of  Moses  and  whatever 
they  bid  you  do,  you  should  observe ;  but  be 
careful  not  to  copy  their  works,  for  they  teach, 
but  do  not  themselves  live  up  to  their  teaching. 
They  make  up  heavy  burdens  and  bind  them 
on  the  shoulders  of  men,  but  they  themselves 
go  free. 

"All  that  they  do,  they  do  to  be  seen  of 
men.  The  phylacteries  of  prayers  which  they 
bind  on  their  foreheads  they  make  conspicu- 
ous. They  decorate  their  garments  with  strik- 
ing colors.  They  covet  the  places  of  promi- 
nence at  public  banquets  and  the  chief  seats  in 
the  synagogues.  They  love  to  be  noticed  in 
public  places  and  to  have  men  bow  to  them 
and  call  them  Doctor  ! 

"  But  you,  my  disciples,  do  not  let  men  call 
you  by  titles  of  honor,  for  One  only  is  your 
superior  and  all  you  are  brothers.  Do  not 
call  any  man  by  the  honorary  title  of  '  Father,' 


Matthew  xxiii.  1-36 ;  Mark  xii.  38-40  ;  Luke  xi.  42-54 ; 
xx.  45-47. 


212  The  Good  News 

for  you  have  but  one  real  Father  and  he  is  in 
the  Spiritual  Realm.  Neither  let  any  one  call 
you  '  Master,'  for  there  is  but  one  Master,  the 
Messiah.  If  you  really  want  to  be  more  im- 
portant than  others,  learn  to  be  useful  to  them. 
He  that  exalts  himself  will  be  humbled,  and  he 
that  humbles  himself  will  be  exalted. 

"  Woe  to  you,  hypocritical  scribes  and  Phari- 
sees !  You  have  closed  the  Spiritual  Realm 
against  men  and  taken  away  the  key  of  knowl- 
edge. You  do  not  choose  to  enter  yourselves, 
and  you  hinder  those  who  would  like  to  enter. 

"  Woe  to  you,  hypocritical  scribes  and  Phari- 
sees !  You  compass  sea  and  land  to  make  one 
proselyte,  and  when  he  is  become  one,  you  de- 
grade him  lower  than  yourselves. 

"  Woe  to  you,  blind  guides  that  you  are ! 
You  say  that  a  vow  sworn  to  by  the  Holy  of 
Holies  is  not  valid,  but  one  sworn  to  by  the 
gold  on  the  temple  is  binding.  How  foolish 
and  unreasonable !  For  which  is  greater,  the 
gold  on  the  sanctuary,  or  the  sanctuary  that 
sanctifies  the  gold  ?  An  oath  sworn  to  by  the 
altar  you  say  is  invalid,  but  one  sworn  to  by 
the  offering  on  the  altar  is  valid.  Oh,  what 
blindness  !  Which  is  greater,  the  gift,  or  the 
altar  that  sanctifies  the  gift  ?  He  that  swears 
by  the  altar  swears  by  it  and  by  all  that  is  on 
it.  He  that  swears  by  the  temple  swears  by 
it  and  by  him  that  dwells  therein.  He  that 


Triumphal  Entrance  Into  Jerusalem    213 

swears  by  heaven  swears  by  the  throne  of 
Love  and  by  him  who  is  its  Sovereign. 

"  Woe  to  you,  hypocritical  scribes  and  Phari- 
sees !  You  tithe  mint  and  anise  and  the  little 
herbs,  and  leave  undone  the  essential  things, 
justice,  mercy,  and  good  faith.  You  are  the 
blindest  of  blind  guides,  straining  at  a  gnat  and 
swallowing  a  camel. 

"  Woe  to  you,  hypocritical  scribes  and  Phari- 
sees! You  are  like  hidden  tombs  that  men 
walk  over  unwittingly.  You  are  like  white- 
washed sepulchers,  that  are  outwardly  clean, 
but  within  are  all  manner  of  dead  men's  bones, 
and  foulness.  Outwardly  you  appear  to  be 
honest  men,  but  inwardly  you  are  full  of  in- 
sincerity and  wickedness. 

"  Woe  to  you,  hypocritical  scribes  and  Phari- 
sees! You  build  the  tombs  of  the  prophets 
whom  your  fathers  killed  and  you  decorate  the 
tombs  of  the  righteous.  You  boast  that  if  you 
had  lived  in  the  days  of  the  prophets,  you 
would  not  have  joined  with  your  fathers  in 
killing  them.  In  saying  this  you  admit  that 
you  are  the  sons  of  them  that  killed  the  proph- 
ets and  you  will  yet  prove  that  the  sons  are 
the  same  as  their  fathers.  By  continuing  to 
do  as  they  did,  you  give  your  approval  to  their 
evil  work. 

"  Behold  I  shall  send  you  prophets  and  wise 
men  and  teachers.  Some  of  them  you  will  kill 


214  The  Good  News 

and  crucify.  Some  of  them  you  will  scourge 
in  your  synagogues  and  persecute  from  city  to 
city.  By  so  doing  all  the  blood  of  the  prophets 
that  has  been  shed  since  the  foundation  of  the 
world  can  be  charged  against  this  generation. 
All  the  blood  from  Abel  down  to  Zechariah, 
who  perished  between  the  altar  and  the  Holy 
of  Holies, — all  shall  be  required  of  this  gener- 
ation. Oh,  you  serpents!  You  offspring  of 
vipers !  How  shall  you  escape  the  final  judg- 
ment?" 

THEN  the  Pharisees  went  away  terribly 
angry  and  more  determined  than  ever  to  put 
Jesus  out  of  the  way.  But  Jesus  turned  to  the 
multitude  and  said,  "Oh,  Jerusalem,  Jerusa- 
lem !  You  who  kill  the  prophets  and  stone 
them  that  are  sent  to  you.  How  often  would 
I  have  gathered  your  children  together,  even  as 
a  hen  gathers  her  chickens  under  her  wings, 
and  you  would  not  let  me.  Now  your  city  is 
left  to  you  desolate  and  you  can  never  see  me 
again,  until  in  your  heart  of  hearts  you  can 
say,  '  Blessed  is  he  that  comes  in  the  name  of 
the  Lord.' " 

As  Jesus  moved  about  in  the  temple  he  came 
to  the  place  where  the  gifts  were  received  and 
he  sat  down  to  rest  and  to  see  how  they  gave 


Matthew  xxiii.  37-39 ;  Luke  xiii.  34-35. 
Mark  xii.  41-44 ;  Luke  xxi.  1-4. 


Triumphal  Entrance  Into  Jerusalem   215 

money  into  the  treasury.  Many  that  were 
rich  gave  large  amounts,  but  there  came  a  poor 
widow  and  she  gave  two  pennies,  all  that  she 
had.  Jesus  called  his  disciples  and  said  to 
them  :  "  This  poor  widow  has  given  more  than 
they  all  that  have  given  to  the  treasury.  They 
have  given  of  their  superfluity,  but  she,  out  of 
her  want,  has  given  all  she  had,  her  whole  living." 

AMONG  those  that  had  come  to  the  Feast 
to  worship  were  certain  Greek  believers  in 
God.  These  came  to  Philip  of  Bethsaida  in 
Galilee  and  said,  "  Sir,  we  should  like  to  meet 
Jesus."  Philip  found  Andrew  and  told  him 
and  together  they  told  Jesus.  Jesus  exclaimed : 
"  The  hour  has  come  for  the  Son  of  man  to  be 
glorified.  Unless  a  grain  of  wheat  falls  into 
the  earth  and  gives  up  its  life,  it  lives  for  itself. 
It  is  only  when  in  germinating  it  dies,  that  it 
bears  fruit.  He  that  loves  his  natural  life  will 
in  time  lose  it,  but  he  that  relatively  cares  noth- 
ing for  it  will  keep  his  soul  life  into  the  time- 
less existence. 

"  If  any  man  wishes  to  serve  me  let  him  fol- 
low me  and  then  he  will  be  with  me  where 
I  am.  Whoever  serves  me  the  Father  will 
honor. 

"My  soul  is  full  of  perplexity.    I  do  not 


John  xii.  20-36,  44-50. 


216  The  Good  News 

know  what  to  say.  Shall  I  pray  the  Father  to 
save  me  from  this  hour  ?  No,  for  I  have  come 
to  this  hour  for  this  very  purpose.  My  Father, 
glorify  thy  name ! " 

Thereupon  a  voice  seemed  to  sound  out  of  the 
sky,  saying,  "I  have  already  made  my  name 
glorious  and  I  will  glorify  it  again."  The  mul- 
titude that  stood  by  heard  the  sound,  but  did 
not  understand  the  words.  Some  said  that  it 
thundered.  Others  said  that  an  angel  spoke  to 
him. 

Jesus  said,  "  This  voice  did  not  come  so  much 
to  encourage  me  as  to  convince  you.  This 
world  is  being  tested  and,  even  now,  the  prince 
of  this  world  is  being  defeated.  And  I,  the 
Love  Thought,  if  I  be  lifted  up  from  the  earth, 
will  draw  all  men  to  me."  By  this  he  signified 
by  what  manner  of  death  he  would  die  and, 
also,  proclaimed  the  triumphant  superiority  of 
the  Spiritual  Law  of  Love  over  the  world  prin- 
ciple of  selfishness  and  hate. 

Some  one  of  the  multitude  said  :  "  "We  have 
read  in  the  book  of  the  Law  that  the  Messiah 
will  abide  forever.  You  say  that  the  Son  of 
man  must  be  crucified.  "Who  is  this  Son  of 
man  ? "  Jesus  said  to  them :  "  It  is  only  a 
little  while  that  the  Light  is  among  you.  De- 
cide while  you  have  the  Light,  so  that  darkness 
may  not  overtake  you  in  your  indecision.  He 
that  walks  in  darkness  does  not  know  where 


Triumphal  Entrance  Into  Jerusalem   217 

he  is  going.  Oh,  my  friends,  believe  in  the 
Light  while  you  have  it." 

In  a  louder  voice  and  with  great  earnestness 
Jesus  cried  out:  "He  that  believes  in  me  be- 
lieves not  so  much  in  me  as  in  the  Father  of 
Love  that  sent  me.  He  that  is  cherishing  the 
Love  Thought  is  harmonizing  his  life  with  the 
will  of  the  Father  of  Love.  The  Love  Thought 
has  come  as  a  Light  into  the  world  and  who- 
ever trusts  in  him  will  not  live  in  darkness. 

"  If  any  one  is  conscious  of  the  appeal  of  the 
Love  Thought  and  does  not  yield  to  it,  I  do  not 
judge  him.  I  am  not  come  to  judge  the  world 
but  to  save  the  world.  But  in  the  last  day 
there  will  be  one  who  will  judge  him,  and  the 
test  that  he  must  meet  will  be  his  attitude 
towards  the  Love  Thought. 

"  I  do  not  speak  on  my  own  authority,  but 
the  Father  that  sent  me  gave  instruction  as  to 
what  I  should  say  and  what  I  should  do.  I 
know  that  to  obey  his  commandment  means  an 
entrance  into  the  timeless  Life,  and  therefore  I 
speak  just  as  he  has  instructed  me  to  speak." 

When  Jesus  had  finished,  he  moved  away  and 
disappeared  from  among  them. 

CENTURIES  before  Isaiah  had  seen  a  vision 
of  the  Messiah  and  prophesied  about  him.  He 
said: 


John  xii.  37-43. 


218  The  Good  News 

"  Lord,  who  hath  believed  our  report  f 

And  to  whom  hath  the  arm  of  the  Lord  been  re- 
vealed?" 

"He  hath  blinded  their  eyes  and  hardened  their 
hearts  ; 

Lest  they  should  see  with  their  eyes  and  perceive 
with  their  hearts 

And  should  turn  and  I  should  heal  them." 

This  prophecy  was  well  known  and,  although 
Jesus  had  done  so  many  wonderful  things,  yet 
still  the  Jews  generally  did  not  believe  in  him. 
Not  a  single  one  of  the  leaders  of  the  Jews  had 
come  out  openly  as  a  disciple,  although  a  very 
few  did  believe  in  him,  but  did  not  admit  it 
publicly  for  fear  that  the  Pharisees  would  have 
them  put  out  of  the  synagogue.  They  pre- 
ferred the  honor  which  men  showed  them  as 
members  of  the  Sanhedrin,  rather  than  the  in- 
ner approval  of  the  Father  of  Love. 

JESUS  then  left  the  temple  and  as  they  were 
going  out  of  the  city,  the  disciples  called  his 
attention  to  the  great  buildings  and  massive 
walls.  Jesus  said :  "  Do  these  things  impress 
you  ?  I  tell  you,  not  one  stone  of  all  this  will 
be  left  in  place.  It  will  be  utterly  demolished." 

As  they  were  passing  over  the  Mount  of 


Matthew  xxiv.  1-44  ;  Mark  xiii.  1-37  ;  Luke  xii.  49-53 ; 
xxi.  5-36. 


Triumphal  Entrance  Into  Jerusalem   219 

Olives,  Jesus  rested  by  the  roadside  with  the 
great  city  spread  out  before  them.  The  dis- 
ciples asked  him  when  the  destruction  of  Jeru- 
salem, about  which  they  had  been  talking, 
would  take  place,  and  what  signs  there  would 
be  of  his  own  reappearance,  and  the  end  of  the 
world. 

Jesus  replied:  "First  of  all  you  must  be 
careful  not  to  let  men  lead  you  astray.  Many 
will  come  in  my  name  and  say,  'I  am  the 
Messiah,'  and  the  'Time  is  at  hand.'  Many 
will  be  led  astray,  but  you  must  not  be  de- 
ceived. You  will  hear  of  wars  and  rumors  of 
wars.  Nation  will  rise  against  nation  and  king- 
dom against  kingdom.  There  will  be  famines 
and  earthquakes  in  various  places.  There  will 
be  unusual  appearances  in  the  sky  and  vague 
terrors  abroad,  but  do  not  be  disturbed. 

"These  things  must  necessarily  come  and 
they  will  be  the  beginning  of  your  suffering, 
but  the  end  will  not  immediately  follow.  Be- 
fore the  end  comes  the  Good  News  must  be 
proclaimed  and  become  known  to  all  nations, 
for  it  is  by  that  test  that  the  nations  are  to  be 
judged. 

"  I  come  to  start  a  fire  on  the  earth  and  I 
would  that  it  were  already  ablaze.  I  have  a 
trial  to  undergo,  and  how  am  I  distracted  until 
it  is  all  over  !  Did  you  think  that  I  had  come 
to  bring  peace  on  the  earth  ?  I  tell  you,  no, 


22O  The  Good  News 

but  rather  division.  From  henceforth  where 
there  are  five  in  a  family,  they  shall  be  divided, 
three  against  two  and  two  against  three. 
They  shall  be  divided  father  against  son  and 
son  against  father;  mother  against  daughter 
and  daughter  against  mother;  mother-in-law 
against  daughter-in-law  and  daughter-in-law 
against  mother-in-law. 

"  You  who  bear  my  name  will  be  hated  of 
all  men  and  all  nations.  For  this  reason  many 
will  falter  and  deliver  one  another  up  and  hate 
one  another.  Brother  will  betray  brother,  the 
father  will  deliver  up  his  own  child,  and  chil- 
dren will  rise  up  against  their  parents,  and 
cause  some  of  them  to  be  put  to  death.  But 
he  that  endures  to  the  end  shall  be  saved,  for 
by  patient  endurance  you  win  the  higher  Life 
of  the  soul. 

"THE  important  thing  is  to  be  on  guard 
within  yourselves.  They  will  very  early  lay 
their  hands  on  you  and  persecute  you.  They 
will  bring  you  before  synagogues  and  councils 
and  governors  and  kings  for  my  name's  sake. 
They  will  treat  you  cruelly  and  even  kill  you. 
But  every  occasion  of  persecution,  or  suffering, 
you  must  turn  to  account  as  an  opportunity  for 
witnessing.  When  they  lead  you  before  judges, 
or  deliver  you  to  governors,  do  not  plan  before- 
hand what  you  will  say.  Settle  it  once  for  all 


Triumphal  Entrance  Into  Jerusalem   22 1 

that  you  will  depend  on  the  Father  of  Love  for 
your  defense,  and  it  will  be  given  you  in  that 
hour  what  you  shall  say.  Love  Vitality  will 
speak  through  you.  You  will  have  words  and 
wisdom  which  all  your  adversaries  will  not  be 
able  to  gainsay. 

"  When  you  see  Jerusalem  encompassed  with 
armies,  then  know  that  her  destruction  is  at 
hand.  Let  them  that  are  in  Judea  flee  to  the 
mountains.  Let  them  that  are  in  the  city  get 
out  at  once.  If  you  are  on  the  housetop,  do 
not  delay  to  get  things  to  take  away.  If  you 
are  in  the  field,  do  not  return  to  the  house  to 
get  a  coat  even.  These  are  days  of  vengeance 
and  all  that  has  been  foretold  will  be  fulfilled. 
The  equal  of  these  days  of  suffering  and  hard- 
ship has  never  been  seen  and  never  will  be 
again. 

"  It  will  be  pitiably  hard  for  a  woman  with 
child,  or  for  those  with  little  babies.  Pray 
that  your  flight  may  not  be  in  winter,  for  there 
will  be  great  distress  and  anger.  Many  will 
fall  by  the  sword,  and  many  will  be  taken 
away  as  captives  into  other  lands,  and  Jeru- 
salem will  be  totally  destroyed.  If  these  days 
should  continue  long,  no  one  would  survive,  but 
for  the  elect's  sake,  the  Lord  will  limit  them. 

"  IF  any  one  say  to  you,  *  Lo,  here  is  the 
Messiah,'  or  *Lo,  there  he  is,'  do  not  believe 


222  The  Good  News 

him.  There  will  be  false  Messiahs  and  false 
prophets.  They  will  show  remarkable  signs 
and  wonders  to  lead  astray,  if  possible,  the 
very  elect.  But  remember  I  have  forewarned 
you.  If,  therefore,  they  say,  *  See,  he  is  in 
the  wilderness,'  do  not  go.  If  they  say,  '  See, 
he  is  in  the  inner  chamber,'  do  not  listen  to 
them. 

"When  the  Son  of  man  appears,  those  to 
whom  he  comes  will  recognize  his  presence. 
It  will  be  as  pervasive  as  the  flash  of  lightning 
that  is  seen  from  the  east  to  the  west.  At 
times  there  will  be  startling  appearances  in  the 
sky  and  distress  among  the  nations.  Because 
of  the  expectation  that  something  awful  is 
going  to  happen,  there  will  be  perplexity  and 
fear  among  men.  At  just  such  times  the  Son 
of  man  will  be  present  in  power  and  glory. 
When  these  things  come  to  pass  lift  up  your 
heads  and  be  encouraged,  for  your  redemption 
draws  near. 

"  Listen  to  this  parable.  When  a  fruit  tree 
begins  to  bud  and  to  put  forth  leaves  you 
know  that  summer  is  near.  In  the  same  way 
when  you  see  these  things  taking  place  you 
may  know  that  the  Spiritual  Realm  is  very 
near,  even  at  your  door.  Most  seriously  I  tell 
you  that  this  generation  will  not  pass  away 
until  all  these  things  shall  happen.  The 
heavens  and  the  earth  may  pass  away,  but  my 


Triumphal  Entrance  Into  Jerusalem   223 

words  will  not  pass  away.  No  one  knows  the 
exact  day  and  hour  when  the  Son  of  man  will 
be  present.  Even  the  angels  of  the  Spiritual 
Kealm  do  not  know ;  only  the  Father  knows. 

"It  will  be  just  as  it  was  in  the  days  of 
Noah.  In  the  days  before  the  flood  they  were 
eating  and  drinking,  marrying  and  giving  in 
marriage,  up  to  the  day  that  Noah  entered  into 
the  ark.  They  were  unconscious  of  its  near- 
ness until  the  flood  came  and  took  them  all 
away. 

"Two  men  will  be  in  the  field  when  the 
vision  comes,  one  will  see  it,  the  other  will  not. 
Two  women  will  be  grinding  at  a  mill,  one 
will  see  it,  the  other  will  not.  Be  on  the  alert, 
therefore,  for  you  will  never  know  beforehand 
the  day  of  the  Lord's  presence.  Keep  close 
watch  lest  your  hearts  become  dull,  or  your 
attention  distracted  by  worldly  thoughts,  or 
by  dissipation,  or  drunkenness,  and  the  day 
come  and  find  you  unprepared  and  catch  you 
suddenly  as  in  a  trap.  The  appearing  of  the 
Son  of  man  is  going  to  be  just  like  that,  to  all 
the  world. 

"  IT  is  like  a  rich  man  going  away  for  an  in- 
definite time  and  leaving  his  estate  in  the  care 
of  his  servants.  He  tells  each  one  his  duty  and 
instructs  the  porter  to  be  on  the  watch  to  ad- 
mit him  when  he  returns.  You  must  be  like 


224  The  Good  News 

that  porter,  forever  on  the  watch,  lest  the  Mas- 
ter on  his  return  find  you  asleep.  He  may 
come  at  twilight,  he  may  come  at  midnight,  or 
in  the  early  morning.  What  he  told  the  porter 
I  tell  you,  watch,  for  you  do  not  know  the  day 
or  the  hour  when  your  Lord  comes  near. 

"Therefore  you  must  be  watchful  all  the 
time,  for,  when  you  think  it  most  unlikely 
the  Son  of  man  will  be  near.  Do  not  become 
careless,  or  indifferent,  but  constantly  pray  that 
you  may  be  able  to  meet  all  the  coming  dangers 
and  hardships  and  be  ever  ready  to  face  the 
Son  of  man. 

"  THE  Spiritual  Realm  is  like  a  group  of  ten 
maidens  who  took  their  lights  and  went  to  meet 
a  bridegroom  and  his  bride.  Five  of  the  maid- 
ens were  thoughtless  and  took  no  oil  for  their 
lights,  but  five  of  them  were  wise  and  carefully 
provided  a  supply.  "While  they  waited  for  the 
bridal  party  to  appear,  they  all  fell  asleep. 
But  at  midnight  the  cry  was  heard,  '  "Wake  up. 
The  bride  and  groom  have  come.  Go  out  to 
welcome  them.' 

"  Then  the  maidens  arose  and  lit  their  lamps 
and  the  thoughtless  ones  said  to  the  wise,  '  Let 
us  have  some  of  your  oil,  for  our  lights  are  go- 
ing out.'  But  the  wise  answered,  '  There  will 
not  be  enough  for  us  both.  You  must  go  to 


Matthew  xxv.  1-13. 


Triumphal  Entrance  Into  Jerusalem   225 

them  that  sell  and  buy  for  yourselves.'  While 
they  went  to  buy,  the  bridal  party  arrived  and 
they  that  were  ready  went  into  the  marriage 
feast  and  the  door  was  shut. 

"  Afterwards  the  other  maidens  came,  the 
thoughtless  and  the  foolish  ones,  and  said, 
'Lord,  Lord,  open  the  door  for  us.'  But  he 
said,  '  I  do  not  know  you.'  Be  ready,  there- 
fore, for  you  do  not  know  the  day  or  the  hour 
of  the  Lord's  appearing. 

"  WHEN  the  Son  of  man  is  present  in  all  his 
glory  and  with  his  angels,  he  will  test  the  men 
of  every  nation.  He  will  separate  them  one 
from  another,  as  a  shepherd  separates  the  sheep 
from  the  goats.  He  will  set  the  sheep  on  his 
right  hand  and  the  goats  on  his  left.  Then 
shall  the  King  say  to  them  on  his  right  hand, 
1  Come,  you  who  are  blessed  of  my  Father,  in- 
herit the  Spiritual  Realm  prepared  for  you 
since  the  creation.  For  I  was  hungry  and  you 
gave  me  food ;  I  was  thirsty  and  you  gave  me 
drink ;  I  was  a  stranger  and  you  welcomed  me ; 
poorly  clad  and  you  clothed  me;  I  was  sick 
and  you  visited  me ;  I  was  in  prison  and  you 
came  to  see  me.' 

"Then  the  good  men  will  answer,  'Lord, 
when  did  we  see  you  hungry  and  feed  you  ?  or 


Matthew  xxv.  31-46. 


226  The  Good  News 

thirsty  and  give  you  drink  ?  When  did  we  see 
you  a  stranger  and  make  you  welcome;  or 
poorly  clad  and  clothe  you  ?  When  did  we  see 
you  sick  or  in  prison  and  come  to  you  ? ' 

"  The  King  will  answer  and  say  to  them, 
'  Inasmuch  as  you  did  it  unto  one  of  my  broth- 
ers, even  the  least  of  them,  you  did  it  unto  me.' 

"  Then  shall  he  say  to  them  on  his  left  hand : 
'You  must  go  away  with  my  condemnation. 
For  I  was  hungry  and  you  gave  me  no  food ;  I 
was  thirsty  and  you  gave  me  nothing  to  drink ; 
I  was  a  stranger  and  you  turned  me  away ;  I 
was  poorly  clad  and  you  refused  to  help  me ;  I 
was  sick  and  in  prison  and  you  did  not  come  to 
see  me.' 

"  Then  they  also  will  say :  *  Lord,  when  did 
we  ever  see  you  hungry,  or  thirsty,  or  a  stran- 
ger, or  naked,  or  sick,  or  in  prison,  and  did  not 
help  you  ? '  Then  the  King  will  answer  them, 
'  Inasmuch  as  you  did  not  do  it  unto  one  of  the 
least,  you  did  not  do  it  unto  me.'  And  these 
will  go  away  condemned,  but  the  good  will 
enter  the  timeless  Life  of  the  Spiritual  Kealm." 

JESUS  said  to  his  disciples :  "  It  is  now  only- 
two  days  to  the  Feast  of  the  Passover,  when  I 
am  to  be  delivered  up  to  be  crucified." 

The  chief  priests  and  the  scribes  had  deter- 


Matthew  xxvi.   1-5,   14-16;    Mark  xiv.  1,   2,  10,  11; 
Luke  xxii.  1-6. 


Triumphal  Entrance  Into  Jerusalem   227 

mined  already  on  his  death  but  were  seeking 
some  way  to  accomplish  it  quietly,  for  they 
were  afraid  the  people  would  make  a  disturb- 
ance if  it  were  done  openly  during  the  feast. 

Just  at  this  time  the  Evil  One  took  possession 
of  one  of  the  twelve,  named  Judas  Iscariot,  and 
he  went  to  the  chief  priests  and  asked  what 
they  wou!4  be  willing  to  give  him  if  he  de- 
livered Jesus  into  their  hands.  They  were 
very  glad  to  bargain  with  him  and  finally 
agreed  on  thirty  pieces  of  silver,  which  they 
weighed  out  and  gave  him.  Judas  left  them 
and  from  that  time  sought  some  opportunity, 
when  Jesus  was  away  from  the  crowd,  to  de- 
liver him  to  them. 

AS  usual,  after  spending  the  day  at  the  temple 
teaching,  Jesus  passed  the  night  with  his  friends 
in  Bethany,  on  the  Mount  of  Olives.  The 
writers  do  not  record  whether  Jesus  went  to  the 
temple  on  Wednesday  or  not ;  but  on  Thursday, 
which  was  the  first  day  of  unleavened  bread 
when  the  sacrifice  was  slain,  the  disciples  came 
to  Jesus  and  asked  him  where  he  planned  to  eat 
the  passover. 

Jesus  said  to  Peter  and  John  :  "  I  want  you  to 
go  into  the  city  and  make  the  necessary  prepa- 
rations. As  you  enter  the  city  you  will  meet  a 

Matthew  xxvi.  17-29  ;  Mark  xiv.  13-25 ;  Luke  xxi.  37 ; 
xxii.  7-30 ;  John  xiii.  1-30,  34-35. 


228  The  Good  News 

man  bearing  a  pitcher  of  water.  Follow  him  to 
the  house  that  he  enters  and  say  to  the  owner  of 
the  house,  '  The  Master  says  that  his  time  is  at 
hand  and  he  wishes  to  keep  the  passover  at  your 
house.'  He  will  show  you  a  large  upper  room 
furnished  as  a  guest  room  where  you  are  to  make 
ready  for  us."  The  disciples  went  to  the  city 
and  found  it  as  he  had  said  and  they  made  every- 
thing ready. 

WHEN  evening  was  come  Jesus  went  with 
the  twelve  to  eat  the  passover.  He  said  to 
them  :  "  This  is  the  last  time  I  shall  eat  the  pass- 
over  with  you  before  I  suffer,  and  I  have  looked 
forward  to  it  with  great  desire.  When  we  meet 
again  to  eat  the  passover,  it  will  be  in  the  Spir- 
itual Realm  and  you  will  then  understand  its 
full  significance." 

Jesus  knew  that  his  time  had  come  and  that 
it  would  be  only  a  few  hours  before  he  would 
leave  this  world  and  return  to  his  Father.  He 
had  loved  these  friends  of  this  world  and  he 
loved  them  to  the  end. 

There  arose  a  discussion  as  to  the  places  of 
honor  at  the  table  and  Jesus  said  to  them : 
"  The  kings  of  the  nations  have  authority  over 
their  subjects  and  when  they  exercise  this  au- 
thority they  are  looked  upon  as  benefactors. 
But  it  must  not  be  so  with  you.  If  one  of  you 
wants  to  be  great,  let  him  be  as  the  younger ; 


Triumphal  Entrance  Into  Jerusalem   229 

or  if  he  wants  to  be  the  most  important,  let  him 
serve  the  others.  You  ask,  '  Is  not  the  one  who 
sits  at  the  table  more  important  than  he  that 
serves?'  Yet  I  am  among  you  here  as  the 
servant,  and  you,  who  have  been  with  me  in 
my  temptations,  when  we  come  into  my  king- 
dom, will  be  my  guests  and  will  eat  and  drink 
at  my  table." 

Jesus  knew  that  he  had  come  from  the  Father 
of  Love  and  was  soon  to  return  to  his  glory. 
He  knew  that  the  Father  had  given  all 
things  into  his  hands.  He  knew,  also,  that  the 
Evil  One  had  already  taken  possession  of  the 
heart  of  Judas  Iscariot.  He  knew  all  this,  but 
he  rose  from  the  table,  laid  aside  his  outer  gar- 
ment and  girded  himself  with  a  towel.  Then 
he  took  a  basin  of  water  and  began  to  wash 
the  feet  of  his  disciples  and  to  wipe  them  with 
the  towel. 

When  he  came  to  Peter,  Peter  said,  "  Lord, 
must  you  wash  my  feet  ?  "  Jesus  said,  "  You  do 
not  fully  understand  now  what  I  am  doing,  but 
later  on  you  will."  Peter  said,  "  I  can  never  let 
you  wash  my  feet."  Jesus  said,  "  If  I  do  not, 
you  can  have  no  part  with  me."  Peter  said, 
"  Lord,  if  that  is  so,  I  want  you  to  wash,  not 
only  my  feet,  but  my  hands  and  my  head." 
Jesus  said,  "  If  I  wash  your  feet,  it  is  enough — 
'you  will  be  clean.  And  you,  my  disciples,  are 
already  clean,  but  not  all  of  you." 


230  The  Good  News 

After  he  had  washed  their  feet,  he  resumed 
his  garments  and  sat  down  again  with  them. 
Then  he  said,  "  Do  you  understand  the  signifi- 
cance of  what  I  have  done  ?  You  call  me 
Master  and  Lord,  and  it  is  all  right,  for  I  am. 
If  I,  then,  your  Lord  and  Master,  have  washed 
your  feet,  you  ought  to  be  willing  to  wash  one 
another's  feet  for  I  have  set  you  an  example. 
You  should  do  to  others  as  1  have  done  to 
you. 

"  It  is  true  that  a  servant  is  not  greater  than 
his  master,  or  one  who  is  sent  greater  than  he 
who  sent  him.  Nevertheless,  true  greatness  is 
found  in  service.  You  know  this  and  blessed 
are  you  if  you  really  practice  it.  I  give  you  a 
new  commandment,  that  you  love  one  another, 
and  by  this  shall  all  men  know  that  you  are  my 
disciples." 

AFTER  Jesus  had  said  this,  he  was  greatly 
troubled  in  spirit  and  finally  said,  "  The  one 
who  is  going  to  betray  me  is  even  now  eating 
with  us  at  this  table.  The  Son  of  man,  indeed, 
must  die  as  it  has  been  determined ;  but  woe 
will  come  to  the  man  by  whom  he  is  betrayed. 
It  were  better  if  he  had  never  been  born." 

The  disciples  were  filled  with  sorrow  and  sur- 
prise and  looked  at  one  another  in  doubt  as  to 
whom  he  meant.  Then,  one  by  one,  they  began 
to  ask  him,  "  Lord,  is  it  I  ?  "  Reclining  at  the 


Triumphal  Entrance  Into  Jerusalem   231 

table,  very  near  to  him,  was  the  disciple  whom 
Jesus  particularly  loved.  Peter  beckoned  to 
him  to  ask  who  it  was.  This  disciple  leaned 
closer  to  Jesus  and  whispered,  "  Who  is  it, 
Lord  ? "  Jesus  replied,  "  It  is  he  to  whom  I 
will  pass  some  food."  Then  Jesus  handed  some 
food  to  Judas  Iscariot.  The  latter  said,  "  Am  I 
the  one,  Teacher  ?  "  Jesus  replied,  "  You  have 
said  the  words.  What  you  have  to  do,  do 
quickly." 

No  one  at  the  table  understood  the  intent  of 
the  words.  Some  thought  that  as  Judas  carried 
the  money  for  the  little  company,  that  Jesus  had 
given  him  instructions  to  go  out  and  buy  some 
needful  things  for  the  feast,  or,  perhaps,  had  told 
him  to  go  and  make  some  gift  to  the  poor.  At 
any  rate  Judas  rose  and  left  the  room  and  went 
out  into  the  night. 

AS  they  were  eating,  Jesus  took  bread  and 
asked  a  blessing  upon  it  and  then  broke  it  into 
smaller  pieces  and  passed  it  to  his  disciples. 
He  said,  "  Take  of  this  and  eat.  This  is  my 
body  which  is  broken  for  you." 

Then  he  took  a  cup  and,  after  he  had  given 
thanks,  he  passed  it  to  his  disciples  and  said  : 
"  I  want  you  all  to  drink  of  this  cup,  for  this  is 
my  blood,  shed  for  many.  I  am  making  a  new 
covenant  with  you  for  the  remission  of  sin  and 
am  sealing  it  with  my  blood.  When  I  again 


232  The  Good  News 

drink  the  juice  of  the  grape  with  you,  it  will 
be  the  new  kind  in  the  Spiritual  Realm.  I  am 
the  true  vine  and  my  Father  is  the  vine-dresser. 
Every  branch  in  me  that  does  not  bear  fruit  he 
cuts  away.  Every  branch  that  bears  fruit  he 
prunes  and  trains  it  so  that  it  will  bear  more 
fruit.  You  are  already  cleansed  by  my  counsel 
with  you.  Continue  to  follow  my  teachings  so 
that  I  may  abide  with  you. 

"  Just  as  a  branch  cannot  bear  fruit  of  itself, 
except  it  continue  a  part  of  the  vine,  so  neither 
can  you,  unless  you  continue  with  me,  for  I  am 
the  vine  and  you  are  the  branches.  He  that 
continues  with  me  so  that  I  may  continue  with 
him  bears  much  fruit,  but  separated  from  me 
you  can  do  nothing.  If  a  man  forsake  me  he 
withers  away  as  a  detached  branch  withers  and 
is  cast  aside  and  then  is  gathered  and  burned. 
If  you  continue  to  follow  me  and  my  teachings 
control  your  lives,  you  may  ask  what  you  wish 
and  you  will  have  it. 

"  "When  you  bear  much  fruit,  it  glorifies  my 
Father  and  shows  that  you  are  truly  my  dis- 
ciples. As  the  Father  has  loved  me,  so  have  I 
loved  you.  I  want  you  to  continue  in  the  same 
loving  relation  with  me  and  it  is  possible  for 
you  to  do  so  if  you  keep  my  commandments  ; 
just  as  I  have  kept  my  Father's  commandments 


John  zv.  and  xvi. 


Triumphal  Entrance  Into  Jerusalem   233 

and  abide  in  his  love.  These  things  I  have 
spoken  to  you  that  I  may  have  gladness  in  you 
and  that  your  joy  may  be  complete. 

"  This  is  my  commandment  that  you  love 
one  another,  as  I  have  loved  you.  A  man  can 
have  no  greater  love  than  a  willingness  to  lay 
down  his  life  for  his  friends.  You  are  my 
friends  if  you  do  whatever  I  command  you.  I 
do  not  call  you  servants  any  more,  for  servants 
are  not  taken  jnto  the  confidence  of  their  mas- 
ter. I  call  you  friends  and  have  shown  you 
everything  that  I  have  heard  from  my  Father. 
You  have  not  chosen  me,  but  I  have  chosen 
you  and  have  vitalized  you  to  bear  fruit  and 
fruit  that  will  last.  It  is  because  of  this  rela- 
tion that  you  may  ask  of  the  Father  what  you 
will  and,  if  it  is  asked  with  the  Love  Thought 
controlling,  he  will  give  it  to  you. 

"  THIS  is  what  I  command  you,  to  love  one 
another.  The  world  may  hate  you.  Never 
mind,  remember  that  it  hated  me  before  it 
hated  you.  The  world  naturally  loves  its  own. 
It  is  because  you  are  not  of  this  world, — be- 
cause I  have  called  you  to  transcend  it,  that  the 
world  hates  you.  Remember  what  I  told  you, 
'  A  servant  is  not  greater  than  his  master.'  If 
they  persecuted  me,  they  will  persecute  you. 
They  did  not  keep  my  word ;  they  will  not 
keep  yours.  Because  they  do  not  know  Him 


234  The  Good  News 

who  sent  me,  then  you,  who  bear  my  name, 
must  share  with  me  all  this  suffering. 

"  He  that  hates  me  hates  my  Father  also.  I 
came  among  them  and  did  things  that  no  other 
man  ever  did.  They  witnessed  them,  and,  in 
spite  of  it,  they  hated  both  me  and  my  Father, 
and  therefore  are  responsible  for  their  sin.  If 
I  had  not  come  and  spoken  to  them,  they  would 
not  have  done  this  ;  but,  as  it  is,  they  have  no 
excuse.  This  was  long  ago  foretold  in  the 
book  of  the  Law,  '  They  hated  me  without  a 
cause? 

"  When  I  go  to  the  Father,  I  will  send  to 
you  from  Him  the  Advocate  and  Comforter, 
who  is  the  very  Vitality  of  Truth,  for  he  issues 
from  the  Father.  When  he  comes  he  will  bear 
witness  of  me,  and  you,  who  have  been  with  me 
from  the  beginning,  must  also  bear  witness. 

"  But  there  are  certain  things  that  you  must 
expect,  and  I  tell  you  so  that  you  may  not  be 
taken  by  surprise.  They  will  expel  you  from 
the  synagogues, — yes,  more  than  that,  the  time 
is  near  when  they  will  kill  you  and  think  that 
by  so  doing  they  are  rendering  the  Father  of 
Love  a  service.  But  they  do  these  things  in 
ignorance.  If  they  really  knew  the  Father,  or 
me,  they  would  not  do  them.  I  tell  you  these 
things  so  that  when  the  hour  comes  and  you 
recall  what  I  have  said  you  will  have  larger 
faith  in  me. 


Triumphal  Entrance  Into  Jerusalem    235 

"  IN  the  early  days  of  our  association  I  did 
not  tell  you  what  was  going  to  happen  because 
I  should  be  with  you,  but  now  I  am  returning 
to  him  that  sent  me.  You  do  not  appear  inter- 
ested in  where  I  am  going,  but,  instead,  your 
hearts  are  filled  with  sorrow  about  the  things 
that  I  have  told  you  are  going  to  happen. 
Nevertheless,  and  I  am  telling  you  the  truth,  it 
is  most  important  for  you  that  I  go  away.  If 
I  do  not  go  away,  the  Advocate  and  Com- 
forter will  not  come  to  you.  But,  if  I  do  go,  I 
will  certainly  send  him  to  you.  And  he,  when 
he  comes,  will  instruct  the  world  as  to  the  true 
nature  of  sin,  of  goodness,  and  of  judgment. 

"  The  Advocate  and  Comforter  will  show 
that  the  essence  of  sin  lies  in  not  believing  in 
me,  for  to  distrust  the  Love  Thought  is  to  be 
disloyal  to  the  Father  of  Love,  who  sent  me 
into  the  world. 

"  The  Advocate  and  Comforter  will  show 
that  goodness  consists  in  self-sacrificing  love, — 
because  the  Father  was  willing  to  send  me  into 
the  world  and  because  I  am  willing  to  lay  down 
my  life  and  return  to  the  Father,  and  you  will 
see  my  face  no  more. 

"  The  Advocate  and  Comforter  will  show 
that  the  Law  of  Love  of  the  Spiritual  Realm  is 
supreme  and  that  tested  by  that  standard  the 
world  principle  of  self-preservation  has  been 
decisively  judged. 


236  The  Good  News 

"  There  are  many  things  that  I  want  to  tell 
you,  but  you  are  not  ready  for  them.  When 
the  Advocate  and  Comforter,  who  is  himself 
Vital  Reality,  comes,  he  will  guide  you  into  all 
truth.  He  will  not  reveal  truth  indiscrimi- 
nately, but  will  tell  only  what  he  is  authorized 
to  reveal  and  will  show  you  only  what  it  is 
necessary  for  you  to  know  of  the  future.  He 
will  glorify  me  because  he  will  make  under- 
standable to  you  the  supremacy  of  the  Love 
Thought,  for  all  that  the  Father  has  he  has 
given  to  me. 

"  In  a  little  while  you  will  see  me  no  more 
and  then  a  little  while  and  you  will  see  me." 
The  disciples  whispered  among  themselves, 
"  What  does  he  mean  ?  He  said,  '  In  a  little 
while  you  will  not  see,  and  again,  in  a  little 
while  you  will  see.'  And  what  does  he  mean 
when  he  said,  '  because  I  go  to  the  Father '  ? 
We  are  all  confused." 

Jesus  perceived  this  and  said :  "  Are  you  en- 
quiring among  yourselves  as  to  what  I  mean  by 
these  words  ?  In  a  little  while  you  will  weep 
and  lament,  but  the  world  will  rejoice.  You 
will  be  sorrowful,  but  in  a  little  while  your 
sorrow  will  be  changed  into  joy.  When  a 
woman  is  in  labor  she  suffers  much ;  but  when 
the  child  is  born  she  remembers  her  anguish  no 
more,  in  the  gladness  that  is  hers,  because  she 
has  brought  a  child  into  the  world. 


Triumphal  Entrance  Into  Jerusalem   237 

"  You  are  sorrowful  now  at  my  leaving  you, 
but  when  you  see  me  again,  your  heart  will  re- 
joice and  this  later  gladness  no  one  can  take 
from  you.  From  that  day  I  do  not  want  you 
to  ask  of  me ;  you  must  ask  of  the  Father  and 
whatever  you  ask  of  him  in  my  name,  he  will 
give  you.  Hitherto  you  have  not  asked  in  my 
name,  but  hereafter  you  must  ask  and  will  re- 
ceive, that  your  gladness  may  be  complete. 

"  I  have  hitherto  spoken  in  parables,  but  the 
time  is  near  when  I  will  no  more  speak  in  para- 
bles, but  will  reveal  to  you,  so  that  you  will  un- 
derstand intuitively  the  nature  of  the  Father. 
After  that  day  you  must  ask  in  my  name  and 
the  Father  will  answer  you.  It  will  not  be 
necessary  for  me  to  intercede  for  you,  for  the 
Father,  himself,  loves  you,  because  you  have 
loved  me  and  believed  that  I  came  forth  from 
Him.  I  issued  from  the  Father  and  appeared 
in  the  world.  Again  I  disappear  from  the 
world  and  return  to  the  Father." 

His  disciples  said,  "  Now  you  speak  plainly 
and  we  understand  you.  We  are  confident, 
now,  that  you  know  all  things  and  that  we 
need  not  hesitate  to  believe  you.  We  do  be- 
lieve that  you  come  forth  from  God."  Jesus 
said  to  them :  "  But  do  you  really  believe  ? 
Listen,  the  hour  is  coming, — yes,  it  is  already 
here — when  you  will  be  scattered,  each  one  go- 
ing his  own  way  and  leaving  me  alone.  And 


238  The  Good  News 

yet  I  am  not  alone,  because  the  Father  is  with 
me.  I  have  spoken  these  things  to  you  so  that 
you  will  have  peace  in  me.  In  the  world  you 
will  have  affliction ;  but  be  o'f  good  courage.  I, 
the  Love  Thought,  have  overcome  the  world." 

JESUS  said :  "  The  Son  of  man  is  now  being 
glorified  and  the  Father  of  Love  is  being  glori- 
fied in  him.  If  the  Father  of  Love  is  glorified 
in  him,  he  will  speedily  glorify  him  in  Himself. 
My  dear  friends,  I  am  with  you  only  a  little 
while  longer  ;  then  you  will  search  for  me,  but 
as  I  told  the  Jews — and  I  repeat  it  to  you — 
where  I  go  you  cannot  come." 

Peter  said  to  him,  "  Lord,  where  do  you  go  ?  " 
Jesus  replied,  "  You  cannot  follow  me  now,  but 
you  will  follow  me  afterwards."  Peter  said, 
"  Lord,  why  can  I  not  follow  you  even  now  ?  I 
will  lay  down  my  life  for  you."  Jesus  said  to 
the  disciples,  "  It  is  written,  '  When  they  smite 
the  shepherd  the  sheep  will  be  scattered.1  Listen 
to  what  I  am  saying,  This  very  night  all  of  you 
will  forsake  me,  but  when  I  reappear,  I  will 
meet  you  in  Galilee."  Peter  spoke  up,  and  said 
earnestly,  "  Even  if  all  the  rest  forsake  you,  I 
will  not,  Lord.  I  am  ready  to  go  to  prison,  or 
even  to  death  with  you."  And  the  others  said 
the  same. 


Matthew  xxri.  31-35  ;  Mark  xiv.  27-31 ;  Luke  xxii.  31-38 ; 
John  xiii.  31-33,  36-38. 


Triumphal  Entrance  Into  Jerusalem   239 

Jesus  said :  "  Are  you  willing  to  lay  down 
your  b'ves  for  me?  Why,  Peter,  this  very 
night  before  the  cock  crows  you  will  deny  me 
three  times.  Oh,  my  disciples,  when  I  sent  you 
forth  without  purse,  or  clothing,  or  extra  shoes, 
did  you  suffer  any  lack?"  They  answered, 
"  Nothing."  Jesus  said,  "  In  this  emergency  do 
you  expect  that  I  will  say  anything  different  to 
you  ?  Do  you  expect  me  to  say  that  from  now 
he  that  has  a  purse  must  take  it  and  likewise  a 
hand-bag  ?  and  he  that  does  not  have  a  sword 
must  sell  his  cloak  and  buy  one  ?  Not  at  all. 
It  was  written,  *  He  was  included  with  the 
criminals.'9  This  and  all  that  has  been  written 
must  be  fulfilled  to  the  end." 

As  had  happened  so  often  the  disciples  mis- 
understood him  and  one  of  them  said,  "  Lord, 
here  are  two  swords."  Jesus  replied  in  discour- 
agement, "  You  have  misundertood  me." 

THEN  Jesus  said  to  them  :  "  Let  not  your 
hearts  be  troubled  even  now.  Only  trust  the 
Father  of  Love  and  continue  to  trust  me.  In 
my  Father's  Kealm  are  many  abiding  places 
and  I  am  going  to  prepare  a  place  for  you.  If 
I  go  and  prepare  a  place  I  will  surely  come 
again  and  welcome  you  to  our  home,  that 
where  I  am,  there  you  may  be  also.  As  you 

John  xiv. 


240  The  Good  News 

know  where  I  am  going,  you  will  know  the 
way." 

Thomas  said  to  him,  "  Lord,  we  don't  know 
where  you  are  going,  how  can  we  know  the 
way  ?  "  Jesus  replied,  "  I,  the  Love  Thought, 
am  the  Way,  the  Truth  and  the  Life.  No  one 
comes  to  the  Father  except  through  me.  If 
you  have  truly  known  me  you  have  known  the 
Father  also,  and  from  henceforth  you  will 
have  known  Him  because  you  have  seen  Him." 

Philip  said,  "  Lord,  show  us  the  Father ;  it  is 
all  we  desire."  Jesus  said  to  him :  "  Have  I 
been  so  long  with  you,  Philip,  and  still  you  do 
not  understand  me  ?  I  am  the  Father's  Love 
Thought.  He  that  has  perceived  me  has  per- 
ceived the  Father  also,  for  it  was  the  Father  of 
Love  that  sent  me.  Why  did  you  ask  that, 
Philip  ?  Do  you  not  believe  that  I  am  in  the 
Father  and  the  Father  is  in  me  ?  The  thoughts 
that  I  express  to  you  I  do  not  originate  my- 
self. The  Father  who  is  abiding  in  me  is 
bringing  to  pass  his  own  loving  purpose.  Be- 
lieve and  trust  me  when  I  say  that  I  am  in 
the  Father  and  the  Father  is  in  me.  Or,  at 
any  rate,  believe  and  trust  me  because  of  my 
life.  Most  earnestly  I  say  unto  you,  he  that 
intellectually  believes  in  the  supremacy  of  the 
Love  Thought,  and  really  trusts  it  in  his  heart 
of  hearts  and  is  gladly  obedient  to  it  in  the 
control  of  his  life,  the  things  which  I  have 


Triumphal  Entrance  Into  Jerusalem    241 

done  he  can  do  and  even  more  than  I  have 
done,  because  I  go  to  the  Father;  whatever 
you  ask  in  a  spirit  of  love  I  will  do  it,  that  the 
Father  may  be  glorified  in  the  Son. 

"  If  you  ask  anything  in  my  name,  and  that 
means  that  it  must  be  in  accord  with  the  spirit 
of  my  life  and,  therefore,  in  harmony  with  the 
purpose  of  the  Father  of  Love, — if  you  ask 
anything  in  that  spirit — I  will  do  it. 

"  If  you  love  me,  you  will  keep  my  command- 
ments ;  and  I  will  pray  the  Father  and  he  will 
give  you  another  Friend,  the  Advocate  and 
Comforter,  who  will  remain  with  you  always. 
This  Friend  is  the  Divine  Love  Vitality,  whom 
the  world  cannot  receive  because  it  is  neither 
conscious  of  him,  nor  knows  him.  But  you 
know  him  because  you  are  sensitive  to  his 
presence  and  he  will  be  present  with  you  for- 
ever. 

"  I  do  not  propose  to  leave  you  helpless ;  I  will 
return  to  you.  In  a  little  while  the  world  will 
see  me  no  more,  but  you  will  still  be  conscious 
of  my  presence.  Because  I  shall  Live,  you 
will  Live  also.  In  that  day  you  will  be  con- 
fident that  I  am  in  the  Father,  and  you  are  in 
me,  and  I  am  in  you.  He  that  appreciates  my 
teachings  and  tries  to  conform  his  life  to  them, 
he  it  is  that  loves  me.  And  he  that  cherishes 
the  Love  Thought  loves  me  and  will  be 
loved  by  my  Father  and  I  will  love  him  and 


242  The  Good  News 

will  come  to  him  in  such  a  way  that  he  will  be 
conscious  of  my  presence." 

The  other  Judas,  not  the  Iscariot,  said  to 
him,  "  Lord,  how  will  it  be  possible  for  you  to 
reveal  yourself  to  us  and  not  to  the  world  ? " 
Jesus  said :  "If  a  man  love  me  he  will  be 
cherishing  the  Love  Thought,  and  his  life  will 
conform  to  it,  and  the  Father  will  love  him 
and  we  will  come  to  him  in  the  vitality  of  a 
higher  order  of  Life,  by  reason  of  which  you 
will  be  conscious  of  our  presence.  The  one 
who  does  not  love  me  will  not  conform  his  life 
to  the  Love  Thought,  and  will,  therefore,  lack 
the  necessary  condition  for  receiving  this  spir- 
itual vitality. 

"  I  am  only  mentioning  these  things  while  I 
am  still  with  you,  but  after  I  am  gone  the 
Father  will  send,  at  my  request,  the  Advocate 
and  Comforter,  who  is  the  Divine  Love  Vital- 
ity, and  he  will  gradually  teach  you  all  things 
and  bring  to  your  remembrance  all  that  I  have 
said  to  you. 

"Let  your  hearts  be  peaceful.  My  own 
serenity  of  spirit  I  bequeath  to  you.  This  is 
not  said  lightly,  as  the  world  wishes  one  fare- 
well. Let  not  your  hearts  be  troubled,  neither 
let  them  be  afraid.  You  have  heard  me  say 
that  I  am  going  away  and  will  come  to  you 
again.  This  ought  to  make  you  glad  and  not 
fearful,  because  I  will  be  going  to  the  Father, 


Triumphal  Entrance  Into  Jerusalem    243 

who  is  greater  than  I.  There  will  be  no  op- 
portunity to  say  very  much  more  to  you. 
What  I  have  said  you  will  appreciate  better 
after  I  am  gone  and  it  will  give  you  increased 
confidence  in  me.  The  Evil  Spirit  of  the  world 
is  at  hand  ;  and,  although  he  has  no  authority 
over  me,  it  will  serve  to  show  the  world  that 
I  love  the  Father  and  that  what  I  am  doing  is 
in  full  accord  with  his  purpose." 

THEN  Jesus  lifted  his  eyes  in  prayer: 
"Father,  the  hour  has  come.  Glorify  thy 
Son  that  he  may  glorify  Thee.  Thou  gavest 
him  authority  over  all  mankind,  that  he  might 
give  the  timeless  spiritual  life  to  all  whom 
Thou  hast  given  him.  And  this  is  the  essence  of 
the  spiritual  Life,  that  they  should  know  Thee, 
the  Father  of  Love,  to  be  Love  Absolute  and  the 
only  true  God  ;  and  him,  whom  Thou  hast  sent, 
to  be  thine  own  Love  Thought  and  the  Messiah. 

"  I  have  glorified  Thee  on  earth  and  have 
accomplished  the  work  which  Thou  hast  given 
me  to  do ;  and  now,  Father,  glorify  Thou  me 
in  thine  own  presence  with  the  glory  that  I 
had  with  Thee  before  the  world  existed.  I 
have  revealed  thy  love  to  the  men  Thou  gavest 
me  out  of  the  world.  They  were  thine  and  they 
have  been  loyal  to  Thee.  They  know  that  all 
things  which  Thou  hast  given  me  are  from  Thee. 

John  xvii. 


244  The  Good  News 

"  The  truths  that  Thou  didst  teach  me  I 
have  taught  them  and  they  have  received  them 
and  really  believe  that  I  have  come  forth  from 
Thee  and  that  Thou  didst  send  me.  I  do  not 
pray  for  the  world,  but  I  do  pray  for  them 
which  Thou  hast  given  me.  They  are  thine, 
just  as  everything  that  I  have  is  thine;  and 
everything  that  is  thine  is  mine  and  I  am 
glorified  in  them. 

"  Now  I  am  coming  to  Thee  and  will  be  in 
the  world  no  longer,  but  they  are  still  to  be  in 
the  world.  Oh  Divine  Father,  keep  them  in 
the  safety  of  thy  love,  the  love  which  Thou 
gavest  to  me,  that  they  may  be  united  even  as 
we  are.  While  I  was  with  them  I  kept  them 
in  thy  love,  the  love  which  Thou  hast  given 
me,  and  not  one  of  them  was  lost.  But  now  I 
come  to  Thee  and  I  speak  these  things  while  I 
am  still  with  them  that  they  may  realize  the 
fullness  of  my  joy  in  them. 

"  I  have  given  them  thy  love  and,  as  they  are 
not  of  this  world,  just  as  I  am  not,  the  world 
has  hated  them.  I  do  not  pray  that  Thou 
shouldest  take  them  out  of  the  world,  but  that 
Thou  shouldst  keep  them  from  the  evil  in  the 
world.  They  do  not  belong  to  the  world  any 
more  than  I ;  therefore,  let  thy  love  make  them 
different  from  worldly  men.  Thy  love  is  the 
only  true  reality. 

"  I  am  sending  them  into  the  world,  just  as 


Triumphal  Entrance  Into  Jerusalem    245 

Thou  sent  me.  In  order  that  they  may  be 
fully  consecrated  to  thy  truth,  I  reconsecrate 
myself  for  their  sakes.  I  do  not  pray  for  these 
alone,  but  for  all  those  who  will  believe  and 
trust  in  me  through  their  influence.  I  pray 
that  they  may  all  be  united  in  love,  even  as 
Thou,  Father,  art  in  me  and  I  in  Thee,  that  they 
also  may  be  in  us.  May  the  world  see  in  this 
unity  the  evidence  that  Thou  didst  send  me. 

"The  glory  which  Thou  hast  given  me,  I 
have  given  them  that  they  may  recognize  their 
unity  to  be  the  same  as  our  unity.  I  will  be  in 
them,  just  as  Thou  art  in  me,  so  that  they  may 
be  drawn  together  and  the  world  may  know 
that  Thou  didst  send  me,  and  that  Thou  lovedst 
them,  just  as  Thou  hast  loved  me. 

"  Father,  I  pray  that  they  whom  Thou  hast 
given  me  may  be  with  me  where  I  am,  so  that 
they  may  see  my  glory,  the  glory  which  Thou 
hast  given  me,  for  Thou  didst  love  me  before 
the  existence  of  the  natural  realm. 

"  Oh,  most  righteous  Father,  the  world  does 
not  appreciate  Thee ;  but  I  know  Thee,  and 
these  disciples  of  mine  know  that  Thou  didst 
send  me.  I  have  revealed  thy  love  to  them 
and  will  make  it  still  clearer,  that  the  love 
wherewith  Thou  hast  loved  me  may  be  in 
them,  just  as  I  am  in  them." 

After  the  prayer  Jesus  said  to  his  disciples : 
"  The  hour  is  here.  Come,  let  us  be  going." 


CHAPTER  NINE 
TEIAL  AND  EXECUTION 

AFTER  leaving  the  house  where  they 
had  eaten  the  passover  supper,  Jesus 
and  his  disciples  went  out  of  the  city 
and  across  the  Kedron  valley  to  a  garden  on 
the  side  of  the  Mount  of  Olives.     The  Garden 
was  called   Gethsemane ;   and  Jesus  and  his 
disciples  had  been  there  before  to  rest.    The 
hour  was  very  late — it   was    probably  early 
Friday  morning. 

Jesus  said  to  his  disciples,  "  Rest  here  a 
little,  while  I  go  over  there  and  pray." 
Then  taking  Peter  and  James  and  John  he 
went  into  a  more  secluded  part  of  the  garden. 
Jesus  was  evidently  very  much  agitated  and  de- 
pressed. He  said  to  his  companions,  "  My  soul 
is  very  sorrowful,  almost  unto  death.  I  want 
you  to  stay  near  and  watch  with  me.  Pray 
that  you  may  not  be  tempted." 

THEN  he  went  forward  a  little  and  fell  on  his 
face  and  prayed  very  earnestly.  He  said, "  Oh 
my  Father,  if  Thou  be  willing,  let  this  cup 


Matthew  xxvi.  36-46 ;  Mark  xiv.  33-42 ;  Luke  xxii.  39-46  ; 
John  xviii.  1. 

246 


Trial  and  Execution  247 

pass  away.  Nevertheless,  not  my  will,  but 
thine  be  done."  There  appeared  to  him  an 
angel  from  the  Spiritual  Realm,  who  encour- 
aged him,  but  still  being  in  an  agony  of  spirit, 
he  prayed  the  more  earnestly  until  the  sweat 
dropped  from  his  face.  Then  he  returned  to 
his  companions  and  found  them  sleeping.  He 
said  to  Peter,  "  Peter,  are  you  asleep  ?  Can 
you  not  watch  with  me  one  hour  ?  The  spirit 
is  eager,  I  know,  but  the  flesh  is  weak." 

So  he  left  them  and  went  away  again  and 
prayed,  "My  Father,  if  this  cup  cannot  pass 
away  unless  I  drink  it,  thy  will  be  done." 
Again  he  returned  and  found  them  asleep,  for 
they  were  very  tired.  So  he  left  them  for  the 
third  time  and  prayed  the  same  prayer.  When 
he  returned  he  found  them  still  sleeping.  He 
said :  "  What,  are  you  still  asleep  ?  Still  rest- 
ing ?  Come,  the  hour  is  here  in  which  the  Son 
of  man  is  to  be  betrayed  into  the  hands  of 
wicked  men.  Wake  up  now.  We  must  be 
going,  for  he  that  is  to  betray  me  has  come." 

WHILE  he  was  yet  speaking,  Judas  Iscariot, 
who  had  been  one  of  the  twelve,  drew  near. 
Judas  knew  of  this  place  as  one  where  Jesus 
had  occasionally  gone  with  his  disciples  and, 


Matthew  xxvi.   47-56;    Mark  xiv.   43-52;  Luke  xxii. 
47-53 ;  John  xyiii.  2-11. 


248  The  Good  News 

having  received  a  band  of  men  from  the  chief 
priests  and  scribes  and  Pharisees,  and  knowing 
that  Jesus  had  left  the  city,  they  followed  in 
search  of  him.  They  were  a  band  of  roughs, 
armed  with  spears  and  clubs,  some  having  lan- 
terns and  some  torches.  Judas  had  told  the 
officers  that  the  one  he  would  kiss  would  be 
Jesus,  the  one  they  were  sent  to  arrest. 

Jesus  knew  just  what  was  going  to  happen, 
but  went  forward  to  meet  them.  He  said  to 
them  kindly,  "Whom  do  you  seek?"  They 
replied,  "We  are  looking  for  Jesus  of  Naza- 
reth." Jesus  said  to  them,  "I  am  he."  The 
crowd  seemed  embarrassed  at  this  and  fell 
back.  Just  at  this  moment  Judas  came  for- 
ward and  said  to  Jesus,  "Good-morning, 
Teacher,"  and  kissed  him  effusively.  Jesus 
said  to  him,  "  Judas,  are  you  betraying  the  Son 
of  man  with  a  kiss  ?  Well,  do  quickly  what 
you  have  come  to  do." 

Those  of  Jesus'  disciples  who  stood  near  said 
to  him,  "Master,  shall  we  fight?"  Peter, 
without  waiting,  drew  a  sword  and  struck  at 
the  one  nearest  him,  who  happened  to  be  a 
servant  of  the  high  priest,  named  Malchus,  and 
cut  off  his  right  ear.  Jesus  said  to  the  wounded 
man,  "  Forgive  him  this  time,"  and  he  touched 
the  ear  and  healed  it.  Then  he  said  to  Peter, 
"  Put  up  your  sword,  Peter.  They  that  appeal 
to  the  sword  shall  perish  by  it.  Do  you  think 


Trial  and  Execution  249 

that  I  am  helpless  ?  Why,  I  have  only  to  ask 
the  Father  and  he  would  send  legions  of  angels, 
but  if  I  did  that,  how  could  the  Scriptures  be 
fulfilled?" 

Then  the  roughs  drew  near  to  lay  hands  on 
him.  Jesus  said  to  them,  "Have  you  come 
with  swords  and  clubs  as  though  I  were  a  rob- 
ber ?  I  was  daily  with  you  in  the  temple  and 
you  did  not  molest  me ;  but  this  is  your  hour 
and  the  powers  of  darkness  are  with  you."  So 
the  chief  captain  and  the  roughs  bound  Jesus 
and  took  him  away  and  all  the  disciples  fled. 

THEY  led  him  first  to  Annas.  Annas  had 
been  high  priest  and  was  the  father-in-law  of 
Caiaphas,  who  was  the  high  priest  that  year. 
Caiaphas  was  the  one  who  had  said  to  the  Jews 
that  it  was  expedient  that  one  man  should  die 
rather  than  that  their  nation  be  imperiled. 
Annas  asked  Jesus  about  his  teachings  and  his 
disciples.  Jesus  answered  him  by  saying :  "  I 
have  always  spoken  openly.  I  frequently 
taught  in  synagogues  and  in  the  temple  where 
the  Jews  gather.  I  never  had  secret  meetings. 
Instead  of  questioning  me,  would  it  not  be 
better  to  ask  those  who  have  heard  me  speak 
as  to  what  I  have  taught." 

At  this  reply  one  of  the  attendants  standing 


John  xviii.  12-24. 


250  The  Good  News 

near  struck  Jesus,  saying,  "  Is  that  the  way  to 
answer  the  high  priest  ?  "  Jesus  replied,  "  If  I 
have  told  an  untruth,  correct  me,  but  if  I  have 
spoken  the  truth,  why  should  you  strike  me  ?  '' 
Annas  then  sent  him  bound  to  Caiaphas,  the 
high  priest. 

PETER  and  one  other  of  the  disciples,  evi- 
dently John,  who  tells  the  incident,  after  the 
arrest  of  Jesus,  mingled  with  the  crowd  and 
followed  him.  John,  who  was  known  at  the 
high  priest's  palace,  went  into  the  court  of  the 
palace  with  the  soldiers,  but  Peter  stood  with- 
out. John  spoke  with  the  maid  at  the  door, 
asking  her  to  admit  Peter.  As  she  recognized 
John  as  an  acquaintance  of  the  high  priest,  she 
consented  to  do  so,  but  when  she  saw  Peter, 
she  asked  him,  "  Are  you  not  one  of  this  man's 
disciples  ?  "  Peter  replied,  "  No,  I  am  not." 

The  servants  and  attendants,  who  were  wait- 
ing in  the  courtyard,  as  the  night  air  was 
cool,  had  made  a  fire  of  coals  and  were  warm- 
ing themselves.  Peter  stood  with  them  by  the 
fire.  One  of  the  attendants  said  to  Peter, 
"  Are  you  one  of  his  disciples  ?  "  Peter  denied 
it,  but  another  servant,  who  was  a  relative  of 
the  one  whose  ear  Peter  had  cut  off,  spoke  up 
and  said,  "  I  think  that  I  saw  you  in  the  garden 


Matthew  xxvi.  57-58,  69-75;  Mark  xir.  53-54,  66-72; 
Lake  xxii.  54-62;  John  xviii.  25-27. 


Trial  and  Execution  251 

with  him.    At  any  rate  your  speech  shows  that 
you  are  a  Galilean." 

Peter  replied  with  some  heat,  "  I  tell  you  I 
do  not  know  the  man."  While  he  was  still 
speaking  a  cock  crowed.  Peter  heard  it  and 
instantly  he  recalled  what  Jesus  had  said  to 
him :  "  Before  a  cock  crows  you  will  have  de- 
nied me  three  times."  It  made  him  bitterly 
sorry  and  tears  filled  his  eyes. 

BY  this  time  the  whole  council  had  gathered 
at  the  palace  of  the  high  priest  and  when  Jesus 
was  brought  before  them  they  sought  to  show 
sufficient  cause  for  putting  him  to  death.  In 
this  they  were  disappointed,  for  although  they 
examined  many  witnesses,  their  testimony  did 
not  agree. 

At  last  two  appeared  whose  words  almost 
agreed.  One  said  that  he  had  heard  Jesus  say, 
"  I  am  able  to  destroy  this  temple  of  God  and 
in  three  days  rebuild  it."  The  other  said  that 
he  had  heard  Jesus  say,  "I  will  destroy  this 
temple  that  is  made  with  hands  and  in  three 
days  rebuild  it  without  hands." 

The  high  priest  stood  up  and  said,  "  What 
have  you  to  reply  to  what  these  witnesses  have 
said  ?  "  But  Jesus  remained  silent.  Then  the 
high  priest  said,  "  I  want  you  to  tell  us  under 


Matthew  xxvi.  59-68 ;  Mark  xiv.  55-65 ;  Luke  xxii.  63-71. 


252  The  Good  News 

oath  whether  you  are  the  Messiah,  the  Son  of 
God,  or  not."  Jesus  replied,  "  I  am ;  and  what 
is  more,  the  time  will  come  when  the  Son  of 
man  will  be  seen  sitting  on  the  right  hand  of 
Omnipotence  and  coming  in  the  clouds  of  the 
sky." 

The  high  priest,  under  great  excitement,  said, 
"What  further  need  of  witnesses  have  we? 
We  have  heard,  ourselves,  this  blasphemy. 
What  is  your  decision  ?  "  They  answered, "  He 
is  worthy  of  death." 

Then  the  attendants  who  held  Jesus  began 
to  abuse  him.  Some  struck  him  with  their 
hands,  some  covered  his  eyes  and  mocked  him 
and  challenged  him  to  tell  who  it  was  that  had 
struck  him.  Some  spat  in  his  face  and  in 
many  other  ways  insulted  him  and  treated  him 
brutally. 

WHEN  Judas  Iscariot,  who  had  betrayed 
him,  learned  that  Jesus  had  been  condemned, 
he  was  overcome  with  remorse  and  repented 
for  what  he  had  done.  He  brought  back  the 
thirty  pieces  of  silver  to  the  chief  priests  and 
elders  and  said,  "  I  have  sinned  and  betrayed 
an  innocent  man."  "  That  is  your  lookout.  It 
does  not  concern  us,"  they  said.  Judas  threw 
the  money  on  the  floor  and  went  away  and 


Matthew  xxvii.  3-10. 


Trial  and  Execution  253 

killed  himself.  The  chief  priests  gathered  up 
the  money  and  said,  "  As  it  is  the  price  of 
blood,  we  cannot  put  it  back  into  the  sacred 
treasury  ;  what  shall  we  do  with  it  ?  "  They 
afterwards  decided  to  buy  with  the  money  a 
field  in  which  to  bury  strangers.  Because  of 
this,  this  burial  place  has  always  been  called, 
"  The  field  of  blood."  By  so  doing  they  un- 
wittingly had  fulfilled  an  ancient  prophecy  by 
Jeremiah. 


MEANWHILE  the  high  priests  held  a  con- 
ference with  the  elders  and  the  scribes  and, 
very  early  Friday  morning,  they  sent  Jesus 
bound  to  Pontius  Pilate,  the  Koman  governor ; 
and  the  whole  company  went  with  him.  "When 
they  reached  the  governor's  palace  Jesus  was 
taken  within,  but  the  Jewish  officials  remained 
without,  so  as  not  to  be  ceremonially  defiled 
and  thus  prevented  from  further  attendance  on 
the  Passover  rites. 

Pilate,  therefore,  went  out  to  them  and  said, 
"  What  charge  do  you  bring  against  this  man  ?  " 
They  replied  that  if  he  were  not  a  criminal 
they  would  not  have  handed  him  over.  Pilate 
said  to  them,  "  If  you  think  that  he  has  done 
wrong,  why  do  you  not  examine  him  in  your 


Matthew  xxvii.  2, 11-14 ;  Mark  XT.  1-5  ;  Luke  xxiii.  1-3 ; 
John  xviii.  28-38. 


254  The  Good  News 

own  courts  ?  "  They  replied,  "  You  know  very 
well  that  we  are  not  permitted  to  inflict  the 
death  penalty."  Pilate  then  said,  "Well,  if 
you  want  me  to  judge  him,  you  must  bring 
some  definite  charge  against  him.  What  is  it 
that  he  has  done  ?  "  Then  the  Jews  began  to 
accuse  Jesus  of  perverting  the  nation,  threaten- 
ing to  destroy  the  temple,  refusing  to  pay  taxes 
to  Caesar,  and  calling  himself  Messiah  and  king. 

Pilate  then  returned  to  the  audience  room  of 
the  palace  and  called  Jesus  before  him.  He 
asked  him,  "  Are  you  the  King  of  the  Jews  ?  " 
Jesus  replied,  "Are  you  asking  this  question 
for  your  own  information,  or  because  the  Jews 
suggested  it  ?  "  Pilate  said,  "  Am  I  a  Jew  ? 
Your  own  nation  and  the  chief  priests  have 
brought  many  accusations  against  you.  Have 
you  nothing  to  say  for  yourself?"  To  this 
Jesus  made  no  reply,  even  when  it  was  re- 
peated, and  Pilate  wondered  at  his  serenity 
under  such  trying  circumstances.  Then  Pilate 
asked  him  again,  "  Are  you  the  King  of  the 
Jews  ?  Tell  me."  Jesus  replied,  "  Yes,  I  am, 
but  my  kingdom  is  not  of  this  world.  If  it 
were,  my  men  would  fight  for  me  and  I  would 
not  be  delivered  to  the  Jews.  No,  my  king- 
dom is  independent  of  this  natural  order." 

Pilate  said,  "  So  you  are  a  king,  are  you  ?  " 
Jesus  said,  "  Certainly,  I  am  a  king.  I  have 
come  into  the  world  for  this  purpose,  and  for 


Trial  and  Execution  255 

this  purpose  only,  to  bear  witness  of  the  only 
kingdom  of  true  reality ;  and  every  one  that 
belongs  to  my  kingdom  acknowledges  my  au- 
thority." Pilate  said  to  him,  "  What  is  true 
reality  ?  " 

AFTER  this  Pilate  went  out  to  the  Jews 
and  said  to  them,  "  I  cannot  see  that  this  man 
has  committed  any  crime."  But  they  were  in- 
sistent and  said,  "  His  teachings  are  stirring  up 
the  people  everywhere,  from  Galilee,  through 
all  Judea,  and  even  into  this  city." 

"When  Pilate  heard  this,  he  asked  if  the  man 
was  a  Galilean.  When  he  learned  that  he  was, 
and  therefore  belonged  to  Herod's  jurisdiction, 
he  sent  him  to  Herod,  who  was  in  Jerusalem 
during  the  Feast.  When  Herod  saw  Jesus  he 
was  very  much  pleased,  for  he  had  desired  to 
see  him  for  a  long  time  and  he  hoped  to  see 
him  perform  some  miracle.  He  asked  him 
many  questions  but  Jesus  remained  silent.  The 
chief  priests  and  the  scribes,  who  had  followed, 
stood  by  vehemently  accusing  him,  and  Herod 
and  his  soldiers  were  making  sport  of  him. 
Finally  they  clothed  him  in  a  gorgeous  costume 
and  sent  him  back  to  Pilate.  Formerly  Herod 
and  Pilate  had  been  enemies,  but  from  this  day 
they  became  friends. 


Luke  xxiii.  4-12  ;  John  xviii.  38. 


256  The  Good  News 

WHEN  Jesus  was  brought  back  to  him, 
Pilate  summoned  the  chief  priests  and  the 
rulers  of  the  people.  He  surmised  that  they 
had  arrested  Jesus  and  sought  his  death  from 
envy  because  he  was  so  popular  with  the  people 
generally.  Moreover  his  wife  had  just  sent  him 
word  that  she  had  had  a  dream  about  Jesus 
that  greatly  troubled  her  and  warned  him  to 
be  very  careful  in  his  judgment,  because  she 
believed  him  to  be  a  good  man. 

Pilate,  therefore,  sought  some  way  by  which 
he  might  release  Jesus.  There  was  at  this 
time  a  custom  in  Jerusalem  for  the  governor  to 
release  at  the  Passover  Feast  some  prisoner 
whom  the  people  might  choose.  Pilate  de- 
termined to  take  advantage  of  this  custom  to 
release  Jesus.  So  he  addressed  the  multitude 
and  said  :  "  The  chief  priests  have  brought  this 
man  to  me  and  charged  him  with  perverting 
the  people  and  inciting  them  to  rebellion.  I 
have  carefully  examined  him  and  do  not  find 
any  ground  for  the  charge.  Herod  has  also 
examined  him  and  has  returned  him  to  me 
with  the  report  that  he  could  find  nothing  in 
his  conduct  worthy  of  death.  Is  it  your  wish 
that  I  release  to  you  at  this  time  Jesus  the 
Nazarene  ?  " 

But  the  chief  priests  had  already  influenced 

Matthew  xxvii.  15-31 ;  Mark  xv.  6-20 ;  Luke  xxiii. 
13-25  ;  John  xviii.  39-xix.  1-16. 


Trial  and  Execution  257 

the  people  to  demand  the  release  of  a  notable 
prisoner  named  Barabbas.  This  Barabbas  had 
led  a  popular  insurrection  and  during  it  had 
committed  murder,  for  which  he  had  been  shut 
up  in  prison.  When  Pilate  asked  them  if  he 
should  release  Jesus,  they  cried  out  in  a  tumult, 
"  Away  with  this  man  and  release  Barabbas !  " 
Pilate  said  to  them,  "  What,  then,  shall  I  do 
with  Jesus,  that  is  called  the  Messiah  ?  "  They 
cried  out,  "  Crucify  him  !  crucify  him ! "  Pilate 
again  said,  "  But  what  evil  has  he  ever  done  ?  " 
Still  they  cried  in  great  excitement,  "  Let  him 
be  crucified."  When  Pilate  saw  that  he  could 
not  move  them,  and  that  the  excitement  threat- 
ened to  become  more  serious,  he  gave  sentence 
that  he  who  had  committed  murder  should  be 
released  and  Jesus  should  be  crucified.  But  to 
show  his  real  feeling  about  it,  he  ordered  that 
a  basin  of  water  be  brought  and,  in  sight  of 
them  all,  he  washed  his  hands,  saying,  "  I  am 
innocent  of  the  death  of  this  good  man.  Yours 
is  the  responsibility."  And  the  people  an- 
swered, "  His  blood  be  on  us  and  our  children." 
Then  Pilate  delivered  Jesus  to  be  scourged  and 
crucified. 

The  soldiers  of  the  governor  took  him  into 
the  palace  barracks  and  after  scourging  him, 
placed  him  in  the  midst  of  the  whole  regiment. 
They  took  off  his  own  garments  and  clothed 
him  in  a  purple  robe.  They  plaited  a  crown 


258  The  Good  News 

of  thorns  and  put  it  on  his  head  and  placed  a 
reed  in  his  hand  for  a  scepter.  Then  in  de- 
rision and  mockery  they  kneeled  down  before 
him,  saying,  "  Hail,  King  of  the  Jews."  They 
spat  upon  him,  they  took  the  reed  and  struck 
him,  and  with  their  hands  they  beat  him. 

Pilate  decided  to  make  one  more  effort  to 
release  him.  He  led  Jesus  into  the  presence  of 
the  crowd  at  the  gate  of  the  palace,  just  as  he 
was,  pale  and  exhausted  from  his  scourging, 
clothed  in  the  purple  robe  and  still  wearing 
the  crown  of  thorns.  He  said,  "  I  bring  the 
Nazarene  into  your  presence  again  that  you 
may  see  that  he  has  been  scourged  and 
that  you  may  know  that  I  find  no  evidence  of 
evil  in  him.  Look  at  him.  Here,  indeed,  is  a 
man ! " 

When  the  chief  priests  and  their  attendants 
saw  him,  they  cried  out,  "  Crucify  him !  Away 
with  him  !  "  Pilate  said  in  anger,  "  Why  don't 
you  crucify  him  yourselves  ?  I  can  find  no 
fault  in  him."  The  Jews  replied,  "  We  have  a 
law  that  whoever  blasphemes  the  name  of 
God  must  die.  He  calls  himself  the  Son  of 
God  and  is,  therefore,  guilty  of  blasphemy." 
When  Pilate  heard  this  he  was  still  more  dis- 
turbed. Again  he  returned  to  the  palace  with 
Jesus  and  asked  him,  "Who  are  you,  any- 
way ? "  As  Jesus  kept  silence  he  continued, 
"  Why  do  you  refuse  to  speak  to  me  ?  You 


Trial  and  Execution  259 

must  know  that  I  have  power  to  release  you,  or 
to  crucify  you." 

Then  Jesus  said,  "  You  have  no  power  over 
me  except  what  is  given  you  from  above. 
They  that  delivered  me  are  more  responsible 
than  you."  Again  Pilate  tried  to  release  him, 
but  the  Jews  cried  out,  "  This  man  sets  himself 
up  as  a  king.  Any  one  that  makes  himself  a 
king  is  opposed  to  Caesar.  If  you  release  this 
man,  you  are  no  friend  of  Caesar."  Then  Pilate 
led  the  way  to  the  judgment  hall  and  took  his 
seat  on  the  throne. 

Pilate  said  to  the  Jews,  "  Behold  your  King." 
They  cried  out,  "  Away  with  him !  Crucify 
him ! "  Pilate  said,  "  Shall  I  crucify  your 
King  ?  "  They  cried  out,  "  We  have  no  king 
but  Caesar!"  " 

Then  Jesus  was  delivered  to  the  soldiers. 
They  took  away  the  purple  robe  and  the  crown 
of  thorns  and  reclothed  him  in  his  own  gar- 
ments and  led  him  away  to  be  crucified. 

AS  they  led  Jesus  away  they  laid  hold  of  a 
man  that  happened  to  be  coming  in  from  the 
country  and  compelled  him  to  go  with  them 
and  carry  the  cross.  This  man  was  Simon  of 
Cyrene.  He  was  the  father  of  Alexander  and 
Kufus. 


Matthew  xx vii.  32 ;  Mark  xv.  21 ;  Lake  xxiii.  26-32. 


260  The  Good  News 

A  great  multitude  of  people  followed  them, 
among  whom  were  many  women,  who  beat 
their  breasts  and  cried  aloud.  Jesus  was 
touched  by  this  and,  turning  to  them,  said : 
"  Daughters  of  Jerusalem,  do  not  weep  for  me, 
but  weep  for  yourselves  and  your  children. 
The  days  are  drawing  near  when  the  cry  will 
be,  '  Blessed  are  the  women  who  never  bore 
children  and  are  spared  the  agony  of  seeing 
them  suffer  ! '  In  the  days  that  are  to  come, 
in  the  midst  of  your  sufferings,  you  will  call  on 
the  mountains  and  the  hills  to  fall  on  you  and 
cover  you." 

IT  was  about  nine  o'clock  Friday  morning 
when  they  reached  a  place  outside  the  walls 
called  Golgotha.  Here  they  crucified  Jesus 
and  a  criminal  on  each  side  of  him.  The 
soldiers  offered  Jesus  a  stupifying  drink  made 
of  a  drug  dissolved  in  wine,  but  after  tasting 
it,  he  refused  to  drink  any  more.  Jesus  mur- 
mured, "Father,  forgive  them.  They  do  not 
appreciate  what  they  are  doing." 

Pilate  had  the  charge  against  Jesus  written 
out  in  Hebrew  and  Latin  and  Greek  and  dis- 
played above  the  cross.  It  read,  "Jesus  of 
Nazareth.  The  King  of  the  Jews."  "When 
the  chief  priests  saw  it  they  went  to  Pilate  and 

Matthew  xxvii.  33-38;  Mark  xv.  22-27;  Luke  xxiii. 
33-34 ;  John  xix.  16-24. 


Trial  and  Execution  261 

asked  him  to  change  it  to  read,  "  He  said  I  am 
King  of  the  Jews,"  but  Pilate  refused  to 
change  it. 

After  the  soldiers  had  crucified  Jesus,  they 
divided  his  garments  in  portions  according  to 
custom,  one  portion  for  each  of  the  four  soldiers. 
Among  the  garments  was  the  tunic,  which  had 
been  woven  in  one  piece  without  seam  and  was 
especially  desirable.  For  this  the  soldiers  cast 
lots. 

THE  place  of  the  crucifixion  was  near  a 
public  road  and  the  passers-by  scoffed  at  him 
and  said,  "  Ha !  You  who  would  destroy  the 
temple  and  build  it  in  three  days,  why  don't 
you  save  yourself?  If  you  are  the  Messiah, 
the  Son  of  God,  come  down  from  the  cross  ! " 
The  chief  priests  and  scribes  mocked  him  and 
said,  "  He  saved  others,  but  he  cannot  save 
himself.  Let  this  Messiah,  this  King  of  Israel, 
come  down  from  the  cross,  that  we  may  see 
and  believe.  He  trusted  in  God  and  claimed 
to  be  the  Son  of  God.  If  God  cares  for  him, 
let  him  deliver  him  now."  The  soldiers  added 
their  insults  and,  as  they  offered  him  sour  wine 
to  drink,  they  said,  "  If  you  are  the  king  of  the 
Jews,  save  yourself." 


Matthew  xxvii.  39-43;  Mark  xv.  29-32;  Luke  xxiii. 
35-37. 


262  The  Good  News 

Even  one  of  the  criminals  who  were  crucified 
with  him,  cast  the  same  reproach  at  him,  say- 
ing, "  If  you  are  the  Messiah,  why  do  you 
not  save  yourself  and  us  ? "  But  the  other 
criminal  rebuked  the  first  and  said  to  him, 
"  Have  you  no  fear,  even  of  God  ?  We 
are  suffering  the  same  punishment  as  he, 
but  we  are  getting  only  what  we  deserve; 
he  has  done  nothing  wrong."  Then  he  turned 
to  Jesus  and  said,  "Jesus,  Lord,  remember 
me  when  you  come  into  your  Kingdom." 
Jesus  said, "  To-day  you  will  be  with  me  in 
Paradise." 

There  were  many  women  present,  among 
whom  were  those  that  had  followed  him  from 
Galilee  and  cared  for  him.  These  stood  apart 
by  themselves.  There  were  Mary  Magdalene, 
Mary,  the  mother  of  James  and  Joses,  Salome, 
and  many  others.  Among  those  standing  near 
the  cross  were  the  mother  of  Jesus,  her  sister, 
the  mother  of  Clopas,  and  his  beloved  disciple 
John.  When  Jesus  noticed  them  he  said  to  his 
mother,  "  Mother,  he  is  to  be  your  son."  And 
to  John  he  said,  "John,  she  is  to  be  your 
mother."  From  that  hour  the  disciple  received 
her  into  his  own  home. 


Matthew  xxvii.  44 ;  Mark  xv.  32;  Luke  xxiii.  39-43. 
Matthew  xxvii.  55-56 ;  Mark  xv.  40-41 ;  Luke  xxiii. 
48-49  ;  John  xix.  25-27. 


Trial  and  Execution  263 

ABOUT  three  o'clock  Jesus  cried  out,  "  Oh, 
Father  of  Love,  My  God,  why  hast  thou  for- 
saken me?"  Those  that  were  standing  near 
heard  the  cry  and  some  thought  that  he  was 
calling  on  Elijah.  Some  one  ran  and  dipped  a 
sponge  in  sour  wine  and  putting  it  on  a  stick 
reached  up  to  give  him  a  drink.  Others  said, 
"  Let  him  alone.  We  will  see  if  Elijah  comes 
to  help  him." 

Jesus  again  cried  out  in  a  loud  voice,  "  Fa- 
ther, into  thy  hands  I  commend  my  spirit." 
Then  he  bowed  his  head  and  his  spirit  left  his 
body. 

With  the  suffering  of  Jesus  on  the  cross  there 
seemed  to  be  a  responsive  shudder  running 
through  all  nature.  From  about  noon  a  dark- 
ness had  settled  down  over  the  earth  that 
remained  until  his  spirit  had  left  his  body. 
The  awful  rumble  and  tremor  of  an  earthquake 
was  felt.  Kocks  and  the  tombs  were  rent 
asunder  and  the  great  veil  of  the  temple  was 
torn  from  top  to  bottom.  The  captain  of  the 
soldiers  was  so  impressed  by  the  solemnity  of 
the  hour  that  he  glorified  God  and  said, "  Surely 
this  was  a  good  man.  He  must  have  been,  as 
he  said  he  was,  the  Son  of  God." 

The  crowd  that  had  come  to  see  the  cruci- 


Matthew  xxvii.  45-54;  Mark  xv.  33-39;  Luke  xxiii. 
44-47 ;  John  xix.  28-30. 


264  The  Good  News 

fixion  were  sobered  by  the  awful  happenings 
of  the  day  and  returned  to  the  city  in  fear  and 
trembling. 

THE  leading  Jews  went  to  Pilate  and  ex- 
plained to  him  that  the  next  day  was  their 
Sabbath  and  a  day  of  especial  sacredness  be- 
cause it  was  the  great  day  of  the  Passover 
Feast.  For  this  reason  they  asked  that  the 
bodies  be  not  permitted  to  remain  on  the  cross. 
They  asked  that  if  they  were  not  already  dead 
that  their  death  might  be  hastened,  so  that 
their  bodies  could  be  removed  before  sundown. 
Pilate  instructed  his  soldiers  to  do  this,  but 
when  they  came  to  Jesus,  they  found  that  he 
was  already  dead,  so  that  they  did  not  need  to 
break  any  bones.  In  order  to  be  sure  of  his 
death,  however,  a  soldier  pierced  his  side  with 
a  spear.  John  himself  saw  this  and  vouches 
for  its  truth. 

This  proved  to  be  the  fulfillment  of  two  an- 
cient prophecies.  One  said,  "  A  lone  of  him 
shall  not  1)6  Irolcen"  The  other  said,  "  They 
looked  on  him  whom  they  pierced" 

THEKE    was    a    rich  man   of  Arimathea, 


John  xix.  31-37. 

Matthew  xxvii.   57-61 ;   Mark  XT.   42-47 ;  Luke  xxiii. 
50-56  ;  John  xix.  38-42. 


Trial  and  Execution  265 

named  Joseph,  who  was  a  good  man  and 
highly  esteemed.  He  was  a  believer  in  Jesus, 
but  on  account  of  his  position  as  a  member  of 
the  council,  he  kept  his  discipleship  secret,  al- 
though in  the  council  he  had  opposed  their 
action  in  condemning  Jesus  to  death. 

Joseph  went  boldly  to  Pilate  and  asked  that 
he  might  take  away  the  body  of  Jesus.  Pilate 
was  surprised  to  hear  that  he  was  already  dead 
and  sent  to  the  captain  of  the  guard.  When 
he  was  assured  that  Jesus  was  really  dead,  he 
gave  the  body  to  Joseph.  They  reverently  re- 
moved the  body  from  the  cross  and  wrapped  it 
in  a  clean  linen  cloth,  with  a  mixture  of  myrrh 
and  aloes,  which  Nicodemus,  the  member  of 
the  Sanhedrin  who  had  come  to  Jesus  by  night, 
had  brought  for  the  purpose. 

In  a  garden  near  by,  Joseph  had  made  a 
tomb  for  himself.  It  was  a  new  tomb,  hewed 
out  of  the  solid  rock  and  had  not  yet  been 
used.  They  carried  the  body  to  this  tomb  and 
closed  the  opening  with  a  great  stone  and  went 
away.  The  women  who  had  followed  Jesus 
from  Galilee  and  Mary  Magdalene  and  Mary 
the  mother  of  Joses  were  there  when  the  body 
was  laid  away,  and  they  saw  the  tomb.  As  it 
was  in  the  evening,  they  could  do  nothing  more 
until  after  the  Sabbath  and  so  they  went  away 
to  prepare  spices  and  ointments  for  completing 
his  burial  at  that  time. 


266  The  Good  News 

On  the  next  day  the  chief  priests  and  the 
Pharisees  came  in  a  body  to  Pilate  and  said : 
"  We  recall  that  this  deceiver,  whom  you  have 
just  crucified,  said  while  he  was  alive  that 
after  three  days  he  would  rise  again.  We 
have  come  to  ask  that  you  seal  the  tomb  until 
after  that  tune,  so  that  his  disciples  cannot 
come  and  steal  the  body  and  then  say  to  the 
people,  'He  is  risen  from  the  dead.'  This 
would  make  the  matter  worse  than  it  already 
is." 

Pilate  consented  to  this  and  ordered  a  guard 
to  be  kept  at  the  tomb.  He  also  gave  the 
Jews  permission  to  do  anything  else  they 
wished  to  make  the  tomb  secure.  So  they 
went  with  the  guard  and  in  their  presence 
placed  seals  on  the  tomb. 


Matthew  xxvii.  62-66. 


CHAPTER  TEN 

ASCENSION  AND  BEGINNINGS  OF  A  COSPEB- 
ATIVE  BROTHERHOOD 

ON  the  Jewish  Sabbath  they  rested  in 
accordance  with  the  old  command- 
ment, but  very  early  on  the  first  day 
of  the  week  a  party  of  women,  including  Mary 
Magdalene,  Mary  the  mother  of  James  and 
Joses,  and  Salome,  went  to  the  tomb,  carrying 
the  spices  and  ointments  that  had  been  pre- 
pared to  anoint  his  body  for  its  final  burial. 

They  did  not  know  of  the  sealing  of  the 
tomb  and  the  placing  of  a  guard,  and,  as  they 
drew  near,  they  said  to  one  another,  "  Who  will 
roll  away  the  heavy  stone,  so  that  we  can  enter 
the  tomb  ?  "  But  as  they  came  near  to  it,  they 
saw  that  the  great  stone  was  already  removed. 

During  the  night  there  had  been  an  earth- 
quake and  a  great  tempest.  In  the  midst  of  it 
an  angel  of  the  Lord  had  appeared  and  rolled 
away  the  stone  from  the  opening.  The  soldiers 
who  were  on  guard  saw  him  and  afterwards 
said  that  he  was  clad  in  glistening  white  and 


Matthew  xxviii.   1-10;  Mark  xri.   1-11;  Luke  xxiii 
56-xxiv.  12 ;  John  xx.  1-18. 

267 


268  The  Good  News 

his  appearance  was  as  lightning.  Because  of 
the  storm  and  this  appearance  they  became  as 
dead  men,  and  afterwards,  thoroughly  fright- 
ened and  trembling,  they  had  fled  away  to  the 
city. 

The  women  entered  the  tomb  and  saw  that 
the  body  of  the  Lord  Jesus  was  not  there. 
Mary  Magdalene  hurriedly  left  the  place  to 
tell  the  disciples.  As  the  other  women  stood 
in  great  perplexity,  they  became  conscious  of 
two  men  in  dazzling  apparel  standing  by  them. 
The  angels  said:  "Do  not  be  afraid.  We 
know  that  you  have  come  to  see  the  body  of 
Jesus  of  Nazareth,  who  was  crucified.  He  is 
not  here.  He  is  risen,  just  as  he  said.  Come 
see  the  place  where  the  Lord  lay." 

In  fright  and  awe  the  women  fell  on  their 
faces  before  the  angels,  who  continued :  "  Why 
seek  ye  the  living  among  the  dead  ?  He  is  not 
here,  but  is  risen.  Remember  what  he  said  to 
you  while  he  was  still  in  Galilee.  '  The  Son  of 
man  must  be  delivered  into  the  hands  of  wicked 
men  and  be  crucified,  but  on  the  third  day  he 
will  reappear.'  Go  quickly  now  and  tell  his 
disciples  that  he  will  go  before  them  into 
Galilee  and  there  they  will  see  him,  just  as  he 
said." 

The  women  left  the  tomb  quickly,  almost 
overcome  with  mingled  feelings  of  joy  and  fear. 
They  said  nothing  to  any  one  on  the  way,  but 


A  Cooperative  Brotherhood         269 

with  Johanna  and  the  other  women  they  went 
and  told  the  disciples. 

Mary  Magdalene,  who  had  gone  ahead,  first 
met  Peter  and  John.  She  said  to  them,  "  They 
have  taken  away  the  Lord  out  of  the  tomb  and 
we  know  not  where  they  have  laid  him."  At 
first  their  words  seemed  as  idle  tales  and  the 
disciples  were  inclined  to  disbelieve  them,  but 
Peter  and  John  started  for  the  tomb.  John 
outran  Peter  and  reached  there  first.  He 
stooped  and  looked  in  and  saw  the  linen  clothes 
lying  there,  but  did  not  at  first  go  in.  But 
Peter  entered  at  once  and  noticed  that  the  nap- 
kin that  had  been  over  the  face  was  not  lying 
with  the  other  clothes,  but  was  placed  by  itself. 
Up  to  this  time  they  had  not  comprehended 
the  meaning  of  it  all,  but  when  John  saw  these 
things  the  truth  dawned  upon  him  and  he  be- 
lieved. Then  the  two  disciples  returned  to  the 
city. 

A  LITTLE  later  Mary  Magdalene  in  anguish 
of  heart  returned  to  the  tomb  alone.  At  first 
she  stood  without,  quietly  weeping,  and  then 
stooping  she  looked  in.  She  saw  within  the 
appearance  of  two  angels  dressed  in  white,  one 
at  the  head  and  one  at  the  foot  where  the  body 
of  Jesus  had  lain.  The  angels  said  to  her, 
"Sister,  why  are  you  crying?"  She  said  to 
them,  "  They  have  taken  away  my  Lord  and  I 


270  The  Good  News 

know  not  where  they  have  laid  him."  Hear- 
ing a  sound  behind  her  she  turned  partially 
around  and  saw  a  man  standing  behind  her. 
It  was  Jesus,  himself,  although  she  did  not 
recognize  him. 

Jesus  said  to  her,  "  Sister,  why  are  you  cry- 
ing? Whom  are  you  seeking?"  Supposing  him 
to  be  the  gardener,  she  said,  "  Oh,  sir,  if  you  have 
taken  the  body  away,  tell  me  where  you  have 
laid  him  and  I  will  care  for  him."  Jesus  said, 
"  Mary."  She  recognized  his  voice  and  quickly 
turned  around  and  fell  at  his  feet.  "  Oh,  my 
Master ! "  she  sobbed.  Jesus  said  to  her,  "  Do 
not  cling  to  me  so,  but  go  quickly  to  my  breth- 
ren and  tell  them  to  go  at  once  to  Galilee  and 
they  will  see  me  there." 

Mary  Magdalene  then  hurried  away  and  said 
to  the  disciples,  "  I  have  seen  the  Lord."  Then 
she  told  them  all  she  had  seen  and  all  that  had 
been  said  to  her. 

Meanwhile  the  guard  had  gone  into  the  city 
and  told  the  chief  priests  all  that  had  happened. 
The  chief  priests  called  the  elders  together  and, 
after  discussing  the  matter,  they  gave  a  large 
sum  of  money  to  the  guard  and  told  them  to 
say  that  his  disciples  had  come  by  night  and 
stolen  him  away.  They  promised  that  if  the 
matter  ever  came  to  the  governor's  attention, 


Matthew  xxviii.  11-15. 


A  Cooperative  Brotherhood         271 

that  they  would  explain  it  to  him  and  relieve 
them  of  all  blame.  So  the  soldiers  accepted 
the  money  and  did  as  they  were  told.  This 
explains  the  report  that  his  body  was  stolen, 
which  spread  among  the  Jews  and  is  still 
repeated. 

TWO  of  the  disciples  went  that  day  to  Em- 
maus,  a  village  about  seven  miles  from  Jerusa- 
lem, and  as  they  walked  along,  they  talked 
together  about  the  strange  things  that  had  hap- 
pened. They  were  so  absorbed  in  their  talk 
that  they  did  not  notice  at  first  that  another 
had  joined  them,  nor  did  they  recognize  who  he 
was. 

The  stranger  said  to  them,  "  "What  are  you 
discussing  so  earnestly  as  you  walk  along?" 
They  were  so  depressed  that  at  first  they  did 
not  know  what  to  say,  bat  at  last  Cleopas,  who 
was  one  of  the  two,  said,  "You  must  be  a 
stranger  in  Jerusalem,  not  to  know  what  has 
been  happening  there  of  late."  Jesus,  for  the 
one  who  had  joined  himself  to  the  two  disciples 
was  none  other  than  he,  said,  "  Why,  what  has 
happened  ?  " 

They  replied:  "About  Jesus  of  Nazareth, 
who  did  such  remarkable  things  and  spoke  such 
wonderful  words  that  the  people  believed  him 


Mark  xvi.  12-13;  Lukexxiv.  13-35. 


272  The  Good  News 

to  be  a  prophet  sent  from  God,  but  the  chief 
priests  and  rulers  had  him  arrested  and  con- 
demned and  then  crucified.  "We  had  hoped 
that  it  was  he  that  was  to  redeem  Israel.  It  is 
now  the  third  day  since  this  happened  and  we 
have  been  amazed  at  certain  things  that  were 
seen  by  women  of  our  company.  They  went 
early  to  the  tomb,  but  found  that  the  body  had 
disappeared.  They  returned  with  the  report 
that  they  had  seen  a  vision  of  angels,  who  had 
said  that  he  was  still  alive.  Two  of  our  own 
number  went  to  the  tomb  immediately  and 
found  it  exactly  as  they  reported,  but  they 
could  find  no  trace  of  the  body." 

Jesus  said  to  them,  "  Oh,  foolish,  foolish  men ! 
So  slow  of  heart  to  believe,  after  all  that  the 
prophets  have  spoken  !  Can  you  not  see  that 
it  was  necessary  for  the  Messiah  to  suffer  these 
things  if  he  was  to  enter  into  his  glory  ?  "  And 
then  beginning  with  Moses,  he  explained  to 
them  the  meaning  of  all  the  references  in  the 
Scriptures  that  the  prophets  had  made  concern- 
ing the  Messiah. 

As  they  drew  near  to  the  village  where  they 
were  going,  Jesus  began  to  say  good-bye,  aa 
though  he  were  going  beyond.  They  urged 
him  to  remain  with  them,  saying,  "  Stay  with 
us.  The  day  is  far •  spent;  it  is  almost  night." 
So  Jesus  went  in  with  them  and  sat  down  to 
eat.  He  took  the  bread  and  blessed  it  and 


A  Cooperative  Brotherhood         273 

passed  it  to  them.  In  doing  this,  their  eyes 
were  opened  and  they  realized  that  he  was 
Jesus ;  and  he  vanished  out  of  their  sight. 

They  looked  at  one  another  and  said,  "  Now 
we  know  why  it  was  that  our  hearts  warmed 
within  us  while  he  talked  with  us  on  the  way, 
explaining  the  Scriptures."  They  immediately 
rose  up  and  returned  to  Jerusalem  and  found 
the  other  disciples  gathered  together  with  other 
believers.  As  they  entered  the  room  the  dis- 
ciples exclaimed,  "The  Lord  is  actually  risen. 
He  has  appeared  to  Peter." 

The  two  that  had  just  come  from  Emmaus 
then  told  the  company  their  own  experience 
and  how  they  had  recognized  him  when  he 
blessed  the  evening  meal. 


EVEN  while  they  were  speaking,  Jesus,  him- 
self, stood  in  their  midst  and  said,  "  Peace  be 
with  you."  They  were  very  much  frightened 
and  at  first  supposed  that  they  had  seen  an  ap- 
parition,— for  when  they  had  assembled  they 
had  done  so  secretly,  for  fear  of  the  Jews,  and 
had  carefully  locked  the  door. 

Jesus  said  to  them :  "  Why  are  you  so 
troubled  and  unbelieving  ?  Why  do  you  con- 
tinue to  question  in  your  hearts?  See  my 


1  Corinthians  xv.  6. 

Mark  xvi.  14  ;  Luke  xxiv.  36-43 ;  John  xx.  19-23. 


274  The  Good  News 

hands  and  my  feet,  convince  yourselves  that  it 
is  really  I,  myself.  Handle  me  and  see.  An 
apparition  does  not  have  flesh  and  bones  as  you 
see  that  I  have." 

While  they  still  hesitated  to  believe,  but  this 
time  from  sheer  joy  and  wonderment,  he  said, 
"  Have  you  anything  to  eat  ?  "  They  brought 
him  a  little  broiled  fish  and  he  ate  it  in  their 
presence.  The  disciples  were  very  glad  as  they 
began  to  realize  that  this  was,  indeed,  their 
Lord. 

Jesus  said  to  them,  "  Peace  be  with  you  all." 
And  with  these  words  he  disappeared  from 
among  them. 

THOMAS  was  not  with  the  other  disciples 
at  this  time  and  when  he  joined  them  a  little 
later,  they  told  him  that  they  had  seen  the 
Lord.  Thomas  said,  "  Unless  I  see  for  myself 
the  marks  of  the  nails  in  his  hands  and  put 
my  hand  in  his  side,  I  will  not  believe." 

Eight  days  after,  the  disciples  were  again  to- 
gether in  an  inner  room  with  the  doors  locked 
and  this  time  Thomas  was  with  them.  Sud- 
denly Jesus  stood  in  their  midst  and  said: 
"Peace  be  with  you."  Then  he  said  to 
Thomas,  "  Thomas,  here  are  my  hands,  place 
your  finger  on  the  wounds,  put  your  hand  to 


John  xx.  24-29, 


A  Cooperative  Brotherhood         275 

my  side.  There,  do  not  be  doubtful  any  longer, 
but  believe."  Thomas  said,  "  My  Lord,  and  my 
God ! " 

Jesus  continued :  "  I  want  you  and  all  my 
disciples  to  believe  that  I  have  come  from  the 
Father  of  Love  and  have  returned  to  be  with 
him  in  the  Spiritual  Realm  forever  more.  I 
want  you  to  be  my  witnesses ;  but  before  you 
can  convince  others,  you  must  first  believe  your- 
selves. While  I  was  with  you  I  told  you  many 
times  that  I  would  be  crucified  and  on  the  third 
day  would  reappear  and  would  ascend  to  my 
Father.  You  have  been  so  slow  to  believe  this 
that  it  has  been  necessary  to  appear  many  times 
to  convince  you  that  I  am  really  Living.  These 
appearances  are  of  importance  only  as  they  con- 
vince you  of  this.  You  have  believed  because 
you  have  actually  seen  me,  but  there  are 
myriads  coming  after  that  will  never  see  me  as 
you  see  me.  Blessed  are  they  that  never  see 
me  and  yet  believe." 

SOON  after  this  the  disciples  returned  to  the 
familiar  places  about  the  Sea  of  Galilee  and 
waited  the  promised  appearance  of  the  Lord. 
The  days  and  the  weeks  went  by  and  still  he 
did  not  appear.  Little  by  little  their  first  faith 
began  to  fade  and  doubts  became  more  insist- 

John  xxi.  1-17. 


276  The  Good  News 

ent.  Finally  one  afternoon  there  were  seven 
of  them  together  and  Peter  said,  "  "What  is  the 
use  of  waiting  any  longer  ?  I  am  going  back 
to  my  fishing."  They  had  always  looked  up  to 
Peter  as  a  leader  and  so  they  answered, "  Well, 
Peter,  if  you  go  back,  then  we  go  back,  too." 

All  that  night  they  labored  in  the  fishing 
boat,  but  caught  nothing.  Just  as  the  day  be. 
gan  to  break  over  the  hills  of  Galilee  Jesus  ap- 
peared on  the  shore.  They  noticed  him  but 
did  not  recognize  him  to  be  Jesus,  as  they  were 
a  hundred  yards  from  the  shore.  When  they 
came  near,  Jesus  said  to  them,  "  Boys,  have  you 
caught  anything  ?  "  They  replied  -that  they 
had  not.  Then  Jesus  said,  "Cast  the  net  on 
the  right  side  of  the  boat  and  you  will  succeed." 
They  did  as  they  were  told  and  this  time  they 
were  not  able  to  draw  the  net  because  of  the 
multitude  of  fish  that  it  contained. 

John  said  to  Peter,  "  It  is  the  Lord."  When 
Peter  heard  this  he  jumped  into  the  water  in 
his  eagerness  to  reach  the  shore.  The  other 
disciples  also  hurried  to  land  in  a  small  boat 
dragging  the  net  with  them.  When  they 
reached  the  shore  they  saw  Jesus  standing  by 
a  small  fire  upon  which  fish  were  cooking,  and 
bread  was  near  by. 

Jesus  said  to  them,  "  Bring  some  of  the  fish 
that  you  have  taken."  Peter  led  them  in  drag- 
ging ashore  the  heavy  net  containing  a  hundred 


A  Cooperative  Brotherhood         277 

and  fifty  large  fish ;  and,  although  there  were 
so  many,  the  net  was  unbroken.  Jesus  said  to 
them,  "  Come  and  eat,  you  must  be  hungry." 
The  disciples  knew  that  it  was  the  Lord,  but 
they  hardly  dared  to  speak.  Jesus  took  the 
bread  and  fish  and  gave  them  to  eat. 

After  they  had  eaten  Jesus  said,  "  Peter,  do 
you  love  me  more  than  these  others  do?" 
Peter  replied,  "Yes,  Lord,  you  know  that  I 
care  for  you."  Jesus  said:  "The  children  of 
men  are  bewildered  between  the  desires  of  the 
physical  nature  and  the  spiritual  aspirations  of 
the  soul.  They  are  hungry  for  the  knowledge 
of  a  higher  reality  upon  which  they  may  feed. 
Peter,  I  want  you  to  feed  my  lambs." 

A  second  time  he  said  to  him, "  Peter,  do  you 
really  love  me  ?  "  He  replied,  "  My  Lord,  you 
know  that  I  care  for  you."  Jesus  said :  "  Hu- 
manity is  led  into  all  manner  of  selfishness  and 
sin  and  suffering  by  the  natural  law  of  self- 
preservation.  They  need  to  know  that  the 
Spiritual  Law  of  Love  is  higher  than  this  nat- 
ural law, — that  it  alone  can  lead  them  out  of  their 
distresses.  Peter,  be  a  shepherd  to  my  sheep." 

He  said  to  him  still  a  third  time,  "  Peter,  are 
you  sure  that  you  care  for  me  ? "  Peter  re- 
called the  times  that  he  had  denied  his  Lord. 
He  recalled  that  he  was  the  one  that  had  sug- 
gested going  back  to  their  fishing,  and  it  grieved 
him  deeply  to  think  that  it  was  necessary  for 


278  The  Good  News 

the  Lord  to  ask  him  the  third  time.  He  said, 
humbly,  "  Lord,  you  know  all  things ;  you 
know  that  I  truly  care  for  you." 

Jesus  said  to  him  :  "  The  children  of  men  are 
like  sheep  without  a  shepherd.  They  have 
wandered  away  into  the  desert.  They  are 
hungering  for  sympathy  and  to  know  the  true 
Way  of  life.  Teach  them  to  believe  in  the 
Love  Thought,  to  trust  it  in  every  circum- 
stance, and  to  obey  it  wherever  it  leads.  Peter, 
feed  my  dear  sheep." 

After  these  words  Jesus  continued  to  talk 
with  them  for  some  time  in  regard  to  their 
work  and  the  future.  He  was  evidently  con- 
vinced that  they  were  now  ready  for  a  final 
commission ;  so  he  made  an  appointment  to 
meet  them  and  the  whole  body  of  Galilean  be- 
lievers, and  then  disappeared  as  suddenly  as  he 
had  come. 

AT  the  appointed  time  the  eleven  disciples 
and  over  five  hundred  of  the  believers  were 
gathered  on  the  mountain  where  Jesus  had 
promised  to  meet  them.  When  Jesus  appeared 
in  their  midst,  with  one  common  impulse  they 
bowed  themselves  in  worship,  although  there 
were  some  that  still  doubted. 


Matthew  sxviii.  16-30 ;  Mark  xvi.  15-18 ;  1  Corinthians 
xv.  6-7,  ; 


A  Cooperative  Brotherhood         279 

Jesus  said  to  them,  "All  power  has  been 
given  to  me  in  the  Spiritual  Realm  and  on 
earth.  Go,  therefore,  and  make  disciples 
among  all  nations  ;  baptize  them  in  the  power 
of  the  Father  of  Love ;  teach  them  to%  believe  in 
the  precepts  that  I,  the  Love  Thought,  have 
given  you ;  and  persuade  them  to  trust  the  im- 
pulses of  the  Divine  Love  Vitality  that  shall 
come  upon  them.  Remember,  I  am  to  be  with 
you,  hour  by  hour,  to  the  consummation  of  the 


"  In  this  power  of  Love  you  will  have  au- 
thority over  evil  and  sickness,  you  will  be  able 
to  speak  in  foreign  tongues,  and  will  be  kept 
from  bodily  harm  until  your  work  is  done." 

After  the  company  had  returned  to  their 
homes,  Jesus  appeared  to  his  own  brother 
James.  We  know  none  of  the  details  of  this 
event,  but  we  know  that  from  this  time  on 
James  became  one  of  the  disciples  and  in  the 
years  that  followed  became  the  leader  of  the 
brotherhood  of  believers  in  Jerusalem. 

JESUS  had  given  instructions  for  the  eleven 
to  meet  him  in  Jerusalem  for  a  final  interview, 
and  when  they  were  together  in  the  city  Jesus 
appeared  and  talked  with  them  about  the  things 
that  related  to  the  Spiritual  Realm.  He  said, 


Luke  xxiv.  44-53 ;  Acts  i.  1-9 ;  Freer  MSS.  Marl; 


280  The  Good  News 

"  "While  I  was  still  with  you,  I  explained  how 
necessary  it  was  that  all  that  was  written  about 
me  in  the  Law  and  the  Prophets  should  be  ful- 
filled." 

Then  he  explained  the  Scriptures  more  fully 
to  them,  and  in  conclusion  said :  "  It  is  written 
that  the  Messiah  should  suffer  and  reappear 
from  the  dead  on  the  third  day  and  also  that 
repentance  and  the  remission  of  sins  should  be 
preached  in  his  name  to  all  the  nations  begin- 
ning at  Jerusalem.  You  are  now  to  be  my 
witnesses  of  all  these  things.  You  will  recall 
the  promise  that  the  Father  made  to  you  by 
John  the  Baptist,  that  while  he  baptized  in 
water,  you  were  to  be  baptized  in  the  Divine 
Love  Vitality.  Listen,  you  must  not  leave 
Jerusalem  until  you  receive  this  baptism." 

One  of  the  eleven  asked  him,  "  Lord,  do  you 
intend  at  that  time  to  restore  the  Kingdom  to 
Israel  ?  "  Jesus,  perceiving  how  difficult  it  was 
for  them  to  grasp  the  spiritual  significance  of 
his  mission,  replied  sadly,  "  It  is  not  for  you  to 
know  the  times  and  the  seasons  which  the  Fa- 
ther retains  in  his  own  control ;  but  you  will 
receive  power  for  your  own  work  when  the 
Divine  Love  Vitality  is  come  upon  you.  Your 
mission  is  to  witness  for  me,  both  in  Jerusalem 
and  in  all  Judea  and  Samaria  and  to  the  utter- 
most parts  of  the  earth." 

Some  of  his  disciples  were  still  doubtful  and 


A  Cooperative  Brotherhood         281 

could  not  rid  their  minds  of  the  old  racial  hope 
for  a  restored  nation  under  Messianic  rule. 
They  said  to  themselves,  "  This  age  of  lawless- 
ness and  unbelief  is  still  under  the  sway  of 
Satan  and  he  will  not  permit  us  to  interfere 
with  those  under  his  control  by  teaching  them 
the  truth  and  the  power  of  God."  Therefore 
they  said  to  Jesus,  "  Why  not  reveal  your 
righteous  authority  even  now." 

Jesus  said,  "  The  time  limit  of  the  power  of 
evil  has  expired,  but  there  are  still  other  things 
that  are  to  be  taken  into  consideration.  I  was 
delivered  to  death  on  behalf  of  sinners  that 
they  might  return  to  truth  and  sin  no  more 
and  that  they  might  inherit  that  glory  of  good- 
ness which,  in  the  Spiritual  Realm,  is  imperish- 
able. This  is  to  be  accomplished  not  by  might 
or  by  power,  but  by  my  spirit  of  Love." 

With  this  he  led  them  out  of  the  city  to  the 
crest  of  the  Mount  of  Olives,  over  against 
Bethany,  and  there  he  lifted  his  hands  and 
blessed  them.  As  the  words  of  benediction 
fell  from  his  lips,  he  was  parted  from  them  and 
disappeared  in  the  Spiritual  Realm,  whose 
reality  it  had  been  his  mission  to  make  clear. 

THEN  the  eleven  returned  to  Jerusalem  to 
the  upper  room  where  they  were  staying.  In 


Acts  i.  12-14  ;  Acts  ii. 


282  The  Good  News 

the  days  that  followed  with  one  accord  they 
continued  steadily  in  prayer.  They  were  joined 
by  the  women  that  had  followed  Jesus  and  by 
Mary,  his  mother,  and  his  brothers.  At  these 
prayer  meetings  the  number  of  those  that  at- 
tended increased  until,  at  one  time,  there  were 
a  hundred  and  twenty  present. 

On  the  day  of  Pentecost  they  were  gathered 
together  as  usual,  when  suddenly  there  came 
from  the  sky  the  sound  of  a  rushing  as  of  a 
mighty  wind  and  it  filled  all  the  house  where 
they  were  assembled.  There  appeared  tongues 
as  of  fire  that  separated  themselves  and  rested 
on  the  heads  of  each  one.  They  were  instantly 
filled  with  the  Divine  Love  Vitality  and  began 
to  speak  in  other  languages  as  they  were  in- 
spired. 

At  this  time  there  were  dwelling  in  Jeru- 
salem devout  Jews  from  every  nation.  When 
the  sound  of  the  mighty  wind  was  heard,  they 
came  in  multitudes  to  where  the  disciples  were 
gathered.  Great  was  their  amazement  for 
every  man  to  hear  them  speaking  in  his  own 
language.  They  said,  "Why,  these  men  are 
all  Galileans.  How  is  it  that  we  hear  them 
speaking  our  own  native  tongues  ?  " 

There  were  present  both  Jews  and  proselytes, 
from  Mesopotamia  and  the  far  East,  from  all 
Asia  Minor  and  Arabia,  Egypt  and  Greece  and 
Borne,  and  they  all  heard  the  mighty  works  of 


A  Cooperative  Brotherhood         283 

God  proclaimed  in  their  own  tongues.     They 
exclaimed,  "  What  does  it  all  mean  ?  " 

THEN  Peter  stood  up  and  addressed  the 
great  multitude.  He  said:  "Men  of  Judea 
and  all  of  you  that  are  dwelling  in  Jerusalem, 
listen  to  my  words.  This  is  the  fulfillment  of 
the  prophecy  by  Joel,  that  said  : 

"  '  In  the  last  days,  it  shall  come  to  pass,  saith  the 

Lord, 

That  I  will  pour  forth  my  spirit  upon  all  men  ; 
Your  sons  and  your  daughters  shall  prophesy  ; 
Your  young  men  shall  see  visions, 
And  your  old  men  shall  dream  dreams. 
Yes,  in  those  days,  even  on  servants  and  bond 

servants 

Will  I  pour  my  spirit  and  they  shall  prophesy. 
And  it  shall  be  that  whosoever  shall  call  on  the 

name  of  the  Lord  shall  be  saved.1 

"  Men  of  Israel,  listen  to  these  words.  Jesus, 
the  Nazarene,  was  a  man  accredited  to  you  by 
God.  The  prophets  foretold  his  coming;  an- 
gelic voices  welcomed  him  ;  and  God,  through 
him,  did  many  miracles  and  marvels  and  signs 
in  your  midst,  as  you  all  know.  With  God's 
foreknowledge  and  his  full  consent  he  was  de- 
livered into  the  hands  of  wicked  men,  and 
they,  with  your  consent,  gave  him  to  the  hea- 
then Komans  to  crucify  and  to  put  to  death. 


284  The  Good  News 

"  But  God  has  delivered  him  from  the  bonds 
of  death,  for  it  was  impossible  that  death 
should  have  dominion  over  him.  God  has 
raised  this  Jesus  to  a  higher  Life,  of  which  fact 
we  are  all  witnesses.  In  this  higher  Life  of 
the  Spiritual  Kealm  Jesus  is  now  exalted  and 
sits  at  the  right  hand  of  God.  According  to 
his  promise  he  has  received  from  the  Father 
and  has  poured  forth  upon  us  the  Divine  Love 
Vitality,  whose  effects  you  have  both  heard 
and  seen. 

"  Let  all  the  House  of  Israel  know  this  for 
certain  that  God  has  made  this  Jesus,  whom 
you  crucified,  both  Lord  and  Messiah." 

When  the  great  crowd  heard  these  words 
they  were  touched  to  the  heart.  They  said  to 
Peter  and  to  the  rest  of  the  disciples,  "  Broth- 
ers, what  shall  we  do  ?  "  Peter  said  to  them : 
"  Every  one  must  repent  and  be  baptized  in 
the  name  of  Jesus  the  Messiah.  Then  you 
will  receive,  as  we  have  received,  the  gift  of 
the  Divine  Love  Vitality.  For  the  promise  is 
to  you  and  to  your  children,  and  to  those  that 
are  afar  off,  even  to  as  many  as  the  Lord  our 
God  shall  call."  Those  that  received  his  word 
and  were  baptized  were  over  three  thousand 
souls.  These  joined  with  the  other  disciples  in 
a  kindly  fellowship.  Day  by  day  and  with 
one  accord  they  would  meet  for  fellowship  and 
to  break  bread  together ;  they  would  listen  to 


A  Cooperative  Brotherhood         285 

the  eleven  as  they  repeated  the  teachings  of 
the  Lord  Jesus  and  then  would  join  together 
in  prayer.  They  had  their  property  more  or 
less  in  common  and,  as  they  saw  that  their 
brother  had  need,  they  sold  their  possessions 
and  shared  with  him.  They  lived  their  days  in 
gladness  and  singleness  of  heart,  praising  God 
and  finding  favor  with  all  that  knew  them. 

THUS  had  begun  to  be  realized  on  earth,  al- 
though imperfectly  and  only  in  a  limited  way, 
a  cooperative  brotherhood  of  those  who  be- 
lieved in  Jesus'  teaching  concerning  the  reality 
of  the  Spiritual  Kealm  and  the  supremacy  of 
its  Law  of  Love.  The  cooperative  brotherhood 
was  not  the  Spiritual  Kealm  itself,  for  whose 
coming  they  daily  prayed,  but  was  the  natural 
result  of  their  effort  to  live  according  to  the 
Spiritual  Law  of  Love.  Their  goal  was  not  to 
be  realized  in  an  ideal  state  of  human  society, 
but  was  to  so  live  that  they  might  transcend 
the  natural  life  and  advance  into  the  Spiritual 
Life.  The  Law  of  Love  as  it  controlled  their 
lives  prompted  them  to  make  life  happier  and 
richer  for  all  men:  by  proclaiming  the  Good 
News  of  a  higher  Spiritual  Life  that  was  pos- 
sible to  any  one  who  would  cherish  the  Love 
Thought  and  who  would  live  in  trustful  obe- 
dience to  the  Law  of  Love;  and  by  working 
for  the  betterment  of  all  human  relations,  so- 


286  The  Good  News 

cial,  political,  and  economic,  not  so  much  as  an 
end  in  itself,  as  to  provide  that  congenial  envi- 
ronment that  was  necessary  if  men  were  to 
live  a  happier  and  richer  life  according  to  the 
Law  of  Love,  and  to  make  conditions  as  favor- 
able as  possible  for  the  quest  of  the  higher 
Spiritual  Life. 

They  must  still  live  in  the  midst  of  Jewish 
customs,  in  a  Roman  state,  under  natural  law, 
but  this  home  of  a  cooperative  brotherhood  of 
believers  in  the  Love  Thought  would  be  the 
privileged  residence  of  the  ambassadors  of  a 
mightier  Kealm,  with  which  they  could  always 
be  in  communication  and  whose  protection  they 
could  claim  at  any  time  and  never  find  it  to 
fail.  Wherever  men  come  to  have  faith  in 
Jesus  as  the  Love  Thought  and  in  his  "Way  of 
Life,  the  Spiritual  Realm  for  whose  coming 
they  pray  will  draw  near,  not  to  be  seen  of 
men  for  it  is  not  of  this  world,  but  to  be  un- 
mistakably recognized  in  each  believing  heart.* 

AND  the  Lord  added  daily  to  their  num- 
bers those  who  in  faith  were  cherishing  the 
Love  Thought  and  who  by  the  power  of  Love 
Vitality  were  following  Jesus  by  his  Way  of 
loving  kindness  into  the  Spiritual  Realm. 


*  Supplied  by  author. 
Acts  ii.  47. 


Reference  Index 

THE  GOSPEL  BY  MATTHEW 


PAGE 

PAGE 

i.  18-25  .   .   . 

.    .    .    .     25       xiii. 

1-53.    •   • 

.   ...    93 

ii.    1-23  .   .   . 

.    ...    29 

54-58.    .    . 

.  ...  103 

iii.    1-12  .   .   . 

.    ...    33      xiv. 

I-I2  .     .    . 

.    .   .    .  107 

13-17  .   .   . 

.    ...    36 

13-23.     •     • 

.   .   .   .  108 

iv.     I-  1  1  .    .    . 

.    ...    42 

24-36  .     .    . 

.  .  .   .no 

12-17  .    .    . 

.    ...    54       xv. 

I-2O  .    .     . 

.    .    .    .  116 

18-22  .    .    . 

.   ...    55 

21-28  .     .     . 

.     .     .     .  I2O 

23-25  •    •    • 

.   ...    70 

29-31  •     •    • 

.    .    .     .  121 

v.             ... 

.   ...    71 

32-38.     .     . 

.    .     .     .  122 

VI.                    .     . 

.   ...    71 

39.    .. 

.    .    .    .  122 

Vll.                    .     .     . 

.    ...    71      xvi. 

12  ... 

.    ...  123 

Till.     2-  4  ... 

5-I3-    •    • 

:  :  :  :  £ 

13-20  .    .    . 
21-28  .    .    . 

.    ...  124 
.    ...   125 

14-17  .   .   . 

.   ...    56     xvii. 

I-I3-     •    • 

.    .    .     .   126 

19-22  .    .    . 

.    ...  144 

I4-2O  .    .    . 

.    ...  128 

23-27  .   .   . 

.    ...    98 

22-23.    •    - 

.    .    .     .  129 

28-34.    .    . 

.    ...    98 

24-27  .     .    . 

.    ...  129 

U.    2-  8  .   .   . 

.   .    .    .    59   xviii. 

.    ...   13° 

9-17.   -. 

.   ...    60      xix. 

3-12  .   .   . 

.     ...  I8S 

18-26.    .   . 

.    ...  100 

13-15  •  .  . 

.    .   .    .  i  86 

27-32.   .   . 

.   .    .    .  102 

16-30  .    .   . 

.    ...  187 

36-42  .   .   . 

.   ...  103       xx. 

1-16.    .   . 

.   .    .    .  i  88 

x.            ... 

.    ...  103 

17-19  •    •    • 

.    ...  189 

xi.           I  ... 

.    ...  103 

20-28  .    .    . 

.    .    .    .  190 

2-27  .    .    . 

.    ...    86 

29-34  .    .    . 

.    ...  191 

28-30  .    .    . 

....  109      xxi. 

i-n  .    .   . 

.    ...  199 

xii.    i-  8  .   .   . 

.    ...    67 

12-17  •    •    « 

.     .    .        202 

9-14-   •   . 

.    ...    68 

18-22  .    .    . 

....  203 

15-21  .   .   . 

.    ...    70 

23-27  .   •    • 

....  203 

22-32  .   .   . 

.   ...  157 

28-32  .    .   . 

....  2O4 

33-37  •   •   • 

.    ...    83     xxii. 

15-40.    .   . 

....  207 

38-42.   .   . 

.   ...  159 

41-46  .    .   . 

.    .    .    .  21O 

43-45  .   •   . 

.    .    .    .  159    xxiii. 

1-36  .    .   . 

.     ...  211 

46-50  .    .    . 

.    ...    92 

37-39.   .   . 

.     ...  214 

287 

288  Reference  Index 


PAGE 

PAGE 

xxiv.    1-44 

218    xxvii. 

2     ... 

•    •    .253 

45-5  l 

161 

3-10    ,   .   . 

.    *     •  252 

xxv.    1-13 

224 

11-14    .   .   . 

•    •       253 

14-30 

195 

.    .    .256 

31-46 

225 

32    ... 

•    •     •  259 

xxvi.    i-  5 

226 

33-38    .   .   . 

.    .    .  260 

6-13 

197 

39-43    •   •   . 

.    .     .  26l 

14-16 

44    ... 

.    .     .  262 

17-29 

227 

45-54    .   .    . 

.     .    .263 

3'-35 

238 

SS-S6    .    .   . 

.    .     .  262 

36-46 

246 

57-61    .    .    . 

.    .     .  264 

47-56 

247 

62-66    .    .   . 

...  266 

57-58 

250    xxvin. 

i-io    .   .   . 

.    .     .  267 

59-68 

251 

"-15    •   .   • 

.    .     .  270 

69-75 

250 

16-20    .   .   . 

...  278 

THE  GOSPEL  BY 

MARK 

PAGE 

PAGE 

i.    I-  8 

33          vn 

.  1-23   .  .  . 

.   .    .  116 

9-1  1 

36 

24-30   .  .  . 

...  120 

12-13 

42 

3'-37    .   .   . 

...   121 

14-15 

54       vui. 

.    .     .  122 

16-20 

55 

IO-2I     .     .     . 

.    .     .  122 

21-34 

56 

22-26     .     .     . 

...  123 

35-45 

58 

27-30     .     .     . 

...  124 

11.      I-  1  2 
13-22 

59 
60         ix. 

31-38     .     .     . 
I     ... 

...  125 
.     .     .   125 

23-28 

67 

2-13     ... 

.   126 

iii.    i-  6 

68 

14-29     .     .     . 

.    .     .   128 

7-12 

7° 

30-32     .     .     . 

.    .     .  129 

13-19 

33-5°    •   •   • 

...  130 

20-21 

92           x. 

2-12     .     .     . 

...  185 

22-3O 

157 

I3-I6     .     .     . 

.   .    .  186 

3'-35 

92 

17-31      •     •     • 

...  187 

iv.    1-34 

93 

32-34     •     •     • 

...  189 

35-41 

98 

35-45    •   •   • 

.    .    .  190 

V.      1-20 

98 

46-52    .    .   . 

.    .    .  19* 

21-43 

100             XI. 

i-n    .   .   . 

...  199 

vi.    i-  6 

103 

12-14    .   .   . 

...  203 

7-13 

103 

15-19    .   .   . 

.    .    .  202 

14-29 

107 

20-25    .   .   . 

...  203 

30-46 

108 

27-33    .   •   • 

...  203 

47-56 

no        xn. 

1-12     .     .     . 

.    .    .  204 

Reference  Index 


289 


PAGE 

PAGE 

13-34  . 

207 

66-72  .   .   . 

....  250 

35-37  • 

2IO         XV. 

i-  5  •   •   • 

....  253 

38-40  . 

211 

6-2O  .     .     . 

....  256 

41-44  . 

214 

21  ... 

....  259 

218 

22-27  .     .    . 

....  260 

xiv.    I-  2  . 

226 

29-32.     •     • 

....  26l 

3-  9  - 

197 

33-39.    .   . 

....  263 

10-11   . 

226 

40-4'  .   .    . 

....  262 

12-25  . 

227 

42-47  •    .    • 

....  264 

27-31  . 

238     xvi. 

i-n  .    .   . 

....  267 

32-42  . 

246 

12-13  •   •    . 

....  271 

43-S2  • 

247 

14.    .. 

....  273 

53-54  • 
SS-^S. 

250 
251      xvi. 

15-18 
Freer  MSS. 

.    .    .     .278 
....  279 

THE  GOSPEL  BY  LUKE 

PAGE 

PAGE 

i.    5-80. 

19 

40-56.    .   . 

....  100 

u.    1-39. 

26        ix. 

i-  6  .    .   . 

....   103 

40-52. 

31 

7-  9  •   •   . 

....  107 

111.      1-20  . 

33 

10-17  .    .   . 

.   .  .   .  108 

21-23  . 

36 

18-21  .   .   . 

....  124 

iv.    1-14  . 

42 

22-27  .    .   . 

....  125 

16-30  . 

44 

28-36.   .   . 

....  126 

3'-4i  • 

56 

37-43-   .   • 

....  128 

42-44. 

58 

43-45  •    •    • 

.  .  .   .129 

V.      I-II   . 

55 

46-50  .    .    . 

....  13° 

12-16  . 

58 

5  1-62  .   .   . 

....  144 

17-26  . 

59        x. 

i-il  .    .   . 

....  144 

27-39  - 

60 

12-15  .    .   . 

....    86 

vi.    i-  5  . 

67 

17-20  .    .   . 

....  149 

6-u  . 

68 

21-24  •    •    • 

....    86 

12-19  . 

7i 

25-37.    •   . 

....  149 

20-49- 

7» 

38-42.    .   . 

....  150 

vii.    i-io  . 

84       xi. 

I-  4  .    .    . 

....    77 

11-17 

86 

5-  8  .   .   . 

.   .    .    .    81 

'8-35- 

86 

9-I3-   •   • 

....    71 

36-50. 

90 

14-23  .   .   . 

....  157 

vin.    i-  3  . 

92 

24-26  .   .   . 

....  159 

4-18. 

93 

27-32.    .   . 

....  159 

19-21  . 

92 

33-   •• 

....    73 

22-25  • 

98 

34-36.   .   . 

....    79 

26-39. 

98 

37-41  .   .   . 

....  159 

290 


Reference  Index 


PAGE 

PAGE 

42-54- 

211          XX. 

i-  8  .... 

...  203 

xii.   1-12  . 

103 

9-19  .... 

...  204 

13-21  . 

160 

20-40  .... 

.     .     .207 

22-31  . 

41-44  .... 

.     .     .  2IO 

32-48  . 

161 

45-47  .... 

.     .     .211 

49-53  - 

218      xxi. 

i-  4  •   •   .    . 

.    .     .214 

54-59  . 

163 

5-36.   .    .   . 

...  218 

xui.    i-  9  . 

164 

37  .... 

.     .    •    227 

10-17  . 

164     xxii. 

i-  6  .    .    .    . 

.     .     .226 

18-21  . 

96 

7-3°.   .    •   . 

.     .     .  227 

22-30  . 

165 

31-38.    .   .   . 

•     .     .238 

3'-33  . 

39-46  .... 

.     .     .  246 

34-35  • 

214 

47-53  .... 

...  247 

xiv.    1-24  . 

167 

54-62  .... 

•     •     •  250 

25-35 

147 

63-71  .... 

...  251 

XV. 

169    xxiii. 

i-  3  .... 

•     •     •  253 

XVI. 

172 

...  255 

XVU.      I-IO  . 

180 

13-25  .... 

.     .     .256 

11-19  • 

182 

26-32  .... 

...  259 

20-37  . 

182 

33-34.   .   .   . 

.     .     .  260 

xviii.  i-  8  . 

182 

35-37-   •   .   . 

.     .     .  26l 

9-H. 

.184 

39-43  .... 

.     .     .  262 

15-17  . 

186 

44-47  .... 

.    .     .263 

18-30. 

187 

48-49  .... 

.     .     .  262 

3^-34. 

189 

50-56.   .   .   . 

.     .        264 

35-43- 

191    xxiv. 

I-I2  .... 

.     .     .267 

XIX.      I-IO  . 

192 

13-35.     •    -    • 

...  271 

1  1-28  . 

193 

36-43  .... 

...  273 

20-44  . 

199 

44-53  .... 

...  279 

45-48  . 

2O2 

THE  GOSPEL  BY  JOHN 

PAGE 

PAGE 

i.    1-18  . 

17 

31-36.   .   •    • 

...     46 

19-28  . 

35       »v« 

1-42  .... 

...     50 

29-34. 

36 

43-45  .... 

...    54 

35-5  '  • 

37 

46-54  .... 

...    54 

11.     I-I2  . 

38         v. 

.    .    .    61 

13. 

46        vi. 

1-15  .... 

.   .    .  108 

13-22 

202 

16-21  .   .    .    . 

.   .   .no 

23-25  . 

46 

22-71  .... 

...  in 

Hi.     1-2  1  . 

46       vii. 

1-2  1  .... 

...  133 

22-30  . 

49 

21-24  .... 

...    66 

Reference  Index  291 


PAGE 

PACK 

25-52.  .  . 

.    ...  134 

36-38.    •    • 

....  238 

53-   •• 

.    ...  137 

XIV.                    .     .    . 

.     ...  239 

vm.    i-n  .    .    . 

.   ...  '37 

.    .    .     .232 

12-30  .    .    . 

.    ...  138 

XVI.                    .     .     . 

...       232 

31-59.    •    • 

.    .    .     .  14° 

XVII.                    .     .     . 

.   .    .   .243 

IX.                   ... 

....  150 

xvni.          I  ... 

.   .   .    .246 

x.    1-18  .    .    . 

.    ...  155 

2-II  .     .    . 

.    .   .    .247 

19-21  .    .   . 

.    ...  ISO 

12-24  •    •    . 

....  249 

22-29  .    .    . 

.    ...   154 

25-27  .    .   . 

....  250 

30-42  .    .    . 

.    ...   I56 

28-38.    .    . 

.    .   •    .253 

xi.    1-46  .    .    . 

.    ...   I76 

39-40.    .    . 

....  256 

47-54.    .    • 

.   .    .    .  180 

xix.     1-16  .    .    . 

•  •  •  -!l! 

55-57.    •   • 

.   ...  197 

16-24  .    .    . 

.  ...  260 

xii.     I    II  ... 
12-19  .    .    . 

.  ...  »97 
.   ...  199 

25-27  .    .    . 
28-30.    .    . 

....  262 
.  .  .  .263 

20-36  .    .    . 

.   ...  215 

31-37  •    •    • 

....  264 

37-43-    •    • 

.    ...  217 

38-42.    .    . 

.  .  .  .264 

44-5«>  •    •    . 

.   ...  215 

xx.      1-18  .    .    . 

....  267 

....  227 

19-23  •    .    . 

.  .  .  .273 

3'-33-    •   • 

....  238 

24-29.    .    . 

.  .  .  .274 

34-35  •   •   . 

....  227 

.  .  .  .375 

ACTS  OF  THE  APOSTLES 

PAGE  PAGE 

i.    1-9 279  47 286 

12-14 281       xx.        35 80 

ii.  .  281 


FIRST  CORINTHIANS 

PAGE  PAGE 

XT.        5 273      xv.   6-  7 278 


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